Brahim Díaz fires Morocco into the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals where Cameroon awaits

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Brahim Díaz kept Morocco's Africa Cup of Nations title hopes on track while five-time winner Cameroon beat South Africa 2-1 for a showdown with the host nation in the quarterfinals.

Díaz sent Morocco through with a 1-0 win over Tanzania on Sunday before Cameroon held on to beat South Africa for the first time since 1992 thanks to goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane. They meet in the next round on Friday.

“The Morocco game is far away for us,” Cameroon coach David Pagou said. “We suffered today, even if we won.”

South Africa was left to rue a host of missed chances early on when Cameroon’s defenders looked as though they were playing together for the first time.

The Bafana Bafana had two extra days to prepare for their last 16 game, while Cameroon’s last group game was Wednesday.

An injury to Cameroon’s Darlin Yongwa allowed both teams to re-adjust before play resumed.

Cameroon improved, supported by most fans in the cozy 18,000-capacity Stade Al Barid.

There was a huge roar when TV cameras picked up Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroon forward who’s now president of the country’s soccer federation, while boos rang out whenever South Africa coach Hugo Broos was shown on the big screen, apparently for his comments about the lack of an “AFCON vibe” in Morocco.

Tchamadeu got the opener when he side-footed the ball inside the far post in the 34th after he was left free when South African defenders failed to clear Cameroon’s first corner.

The Indomitable Lions emerged with more bite after the break, with Aboubakar Nagida crossing for Kofane to head the second goal in the 47th.

“I don’t think Cameroon were really dangerous in the first half and we wanted to continue like this in the second half. But after the second goal it was very difficult,” Broos said. “Cameroon stayed very well as a block.”

Cameroon goalkeeper Dévis Epassy saved from Samukelo Kabini, who’d missed one of the early chances, then dived to keep out Teboho Mokoena's free kick.

Evidence Makgopa's 88th-minute strike was too late for the Bafana Bafana.

Díaz, who has quickly emerged as Morocco's star player, broke the deadlock against Tanzania in the 64th minute. He beat Hussein Masalanga at his near post when the Taifa Stars' goalkeeper probably expected a cross.

It was Díaz's fourth goal in four games and it set off celebrations of relief around Rabat’s near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the home team will play all its games as long as it keeps winning through to the final on Jan. 18.

The Atlas Lions had dominated possession but were largely frustrated by Tanzania’s disciplined and committed defense.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi made his first start of the tournament after recovering from an ankle injury and played the whole game.

Senegal and Mali booked their places in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

South Africa's Evidence Makgopa scores his side's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between South Africa and Cameroon in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Mbekezeli Mbokazi heads the wet ball during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between South Africa and Cameroon in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Tanzania's Iddy Nado falls while chasing the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Diaz celebrates with head coach Walid Regragui after scoring the opening goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Diaz celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Moroccan players celebrate after teammate Brahim Abdelkader Diaz scored the opening goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Diaz gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Tanzania in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

The PWHL filled its final two expansion team general manager openings with three-time U.S. Olympian Meghan Duggan taking over in Hamilton, Ontario, and Troy Ryan leaving the Toronto Sceptres to take on the dual role of coach and GM in San Jose.

The hirings were announced Friday and complete the league’s round of GM additions for each of its four new franchises, which will begin play next season.

The 38-year-old Duggan spent the past five years in a player development role in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils. She brings high-profile name recognition and experience to the PWHL’s fifth Canadian-based franchise.

She had already been working with the PWHL as a special consultant for the hockey operations department. Before her retirement in 2020, Duggan was a founding member of the PWHPA, which was made up of a group of players who helped establish the PWHL three years ago.

“Meghan has been an effective leader at every stage of her career, and she is a rising star in the front office ranks,” said PWHL executive VP of hockey operations Jayna Hefford, who oversaw the hiring process.

Ryan, meantime, leaves Toronto after coaching the team in its first three seasons to become the PWHL’s first to handle both coaching and GM duties. The move continues an offseason of transition for Ryan. He previously said he’s stepping down after a six-year stint as head coach the Canadian national women’s team.

The 54-year-old Ryan coached Canada to a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and won silver at the Milan Cortina Games in February.

“Expansion creates a rare opportunity to shape everything with intention, from the standards and culture, to the people and connection to the community,” Ryan said. “We want to build a team that plays with purpose, represents the Bay Area with pride, and helps continue to grow women’s hockey on the West Coast.”

The four new franchises grow the PWHL to 12 teams for next season, doubling the league’s size since it began play in 2024. The league also added teams in Detroit and Las Vegas.

Among Duggan and Ryan’s immediate responsibilities are hiring their staff, including a coach in Hamilton, while also filling out their rosters. The league’s expansion signing process is set to begin in two weeks, followed by the draft on June 17.

Duggan is from Danvers, Massachusetts, and won Olympic silver medals in 2010 and 2014 before winning gold in at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, with her serving as team captain. She also won seven gold medals and one silver in eight world championship appearances.

Despite her U.S. roots, Duggan has Canadian connections. She’s married to former Team Canada rival Gillian Apps, who is from the Toronto area, about an hour’s drive east of Hamilton.

“This league represents the future of women’s professional sports. And the opportunity to help build a team, culture, and identity from the ground up is a privilege,” Duggan said. “Hamilton is a passionate sports city with a rich hockey tradition, and my goal is to create an environment where players can thrive and compete for a championship.”

Duggan played at Wisconsin, where she won the 2011 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as women’s college hockey’s MVP following her senior season with the Badgers.

Ryan brings a wealth of hockey front office and coaching experience to the PWHL’s first team in California. He was the PWHL’s first coach of the year in 2024, and has a career record of 52-32-10.

Under Ryan, the Sceptres lost in the semifinal round of the playoffs in their first two seasons, and finished fifth this year after being eliminated on the final day of the regular season. In Toronto, he worked with GM Gina Kingsbury, who held the same role with Team Canada.

Ryan is credited for helping turn around a Canadian national team program that hit its low in winning bronze at the 2019 world championships. In the five following world tournament appearances under Ryan, Canada won three gold medals and two silvers.

Ryan is from Nova Scotia, and worked in several GM and coaching jobs in the men’s Junior A Maritime Hockey League. He then made the switch in becoming head coach of the Dalhousie University women’s team from 2020-23.

AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

FILE - Toronto Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan directs his team as they play the Minnesota Frost in the first period of a PWHL hockey playoff game, May 11, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)

FILE - Meghan Duggan listens to a question from the media, March 3, 2018, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)