Brahim Díaz Strikes Again as Morocco Battle Past Stubborn Tanzania

By Oni Ladonette Ondesa

Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon

Brahim Díaz maintained his remarkable scoring streak to fire Morocco into the AFCON quarter-finals, his 64th-minute strike proving the difference against a Tanzania side that refused to buckle under relentless pressure.

The Real Madrid playmaker, now with four goals in four tournament appearances, conjured the match-winner from an acute angle on the right. After linking with Achraf Hakimi, Díaz’s right-footed finish arrowed into the bottom corner, a goal of technical quality that separated two sides of contrasting ambition.

Morocco monopolized possession, but Tanzania’s defensive shape held firm for an hour. The Taifa Stars sat deep, denied space, and forced the Atlas Lions into peripheral areas. It was attritional football, the kind that tests nerve as much as ability.

The hosts thought they’d seized control in the 15th minute when Ismael Saibari slotted home, only for VAR to chalk it off for offside. A reprieve for Tanzania, who had already weathered early Moroccan dominance.

Ayoub El Kaabi endured a torrid night. The striker missed two gilt-edged chances, sending headers wide when he should have scored. His 38th-minute effort skimmed the wrong side of the post, while another opportunity after the break saw him fail to connect with Hakimi’s teasing delivery.

Hakimi terrorized Tanzania’s left flank all evening. The PSG fullback delivered cross after cross, his final ball creating havoc in the box even if the finishing lacked conviction.

Sportsmanship.🇲🇦🤝🇹🇿

Tanzania goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga kept his side alive. The shot-stopper produced vital saves to deny Abde Ezzalzouli and Hakimi, defying injury concerns to stay between the sticks.

Tanzania weren’t simply cannon fodder. Simon Msuva caused problems with his direct running, while Mohamed Hussein’s 56th-minute strike from distance forced Yassine Bounou into a smart stop. But clear-cut chances remained scarce for the underdogs.

The match turned scrappy in the final half-hour. Tanzania collected four bookings, with substitute Mbwana Samatta cautioned within a minute of entering the fray. Dickson Job’s crude late challenge on Ezzalzouli summed up their growing desperation.

Walid Regragui rang the changes to protect the lead. Youssef En-Nesyri replaced the misfiring El Kaabi, while Eliesse Ben Seghir and Anass Salah-Eddine were introduced to shut up shop.

Seven minutes of stoppage time gave Tanzania hope, but Morocco’s backline stood firm. When the final whistle sounded, it was job done rather than champagne football.

Morocco advance, but this performance raised questions. The Atlas Lions lacked cutting edge and relied heavily on individual brilliance.

Sterner tests await in the latter stages, with five-time champions Cameroon or South Africa lying in wait. They’ll need more than Díaz’s golden touch to go all the way.

For Tanzania, a gallant exit. They defended with discipline and threatened sporadically but lacked the quality to genuinely hurt one of Africa’s heavyweights.