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Diaz Scores Again As Morocco Beat Cameroon To Reach AFCON Semis
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Brahim Diaz kept up his remarkable Africa Cup of Nations scoring record, and Ismael Saibari was also on target as hosts Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0 in their quarter-final showdown on Friday to keep their title dreams alive.
Real Madrid winger Diaz got the decisive touch to Ayoub El Kaabi’s 26th-minute header in front of more than 64,000 fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital Rabat.
Diaz’s fifth goal in five matches at the tournament was followed by Saibari’s strike in the second half, with Morocco well worth their victory as they progress to a semi-final against the winner of Saturday’s clash between Algeria and Nigeria.
That promises to be a stiffer test for Walid Regragui’s team than that posed by Cameroon, who were hoping to spring an upset, having already exceeded expectations in coming this far after a troubled build-up to the tournament.
The Indomitable Lions, five-time African champions, created little with Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo struggling to make an impact.
Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked team and World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, are under enormous pressure to win the Cup of Nations in front of their own fans, half a century after their last continental title.
There have been doubts as to whether they can handle the weight of expectation, but they remain on course to achieve their objective- it is the first time Morocco have reached the AFCON semi-finals since they lost the 2004 final to Tunisia.
The hosts were unchanged from their 1-0 last-16 win over Tanzania as they looked to continue an unbeaten record going back to their defeat by South Africa at the 2024 AFCON.
Fresh from knocking out South Africa in the last round here, Cameroon were clearly banking on frustrating Morocco as much as possible in an attempt to turn the crowd against the home side.
– Saibari seals it –
Morocco were beaten by the Cameroonians in the semi-finals the last time they hosted AFCON in 1988, but a repeat outcome never really looked likely.
David Pagou’s team were not helped by the early loss of right wing-back Jackson Tchamadeu, who tried to carry on after Noussair Mazraoui landed heavily on his knee before eventually being stretchered off.
Moments after that, Morocco scored. Achraf Hakimi sent in a corner from the right which was headed towards goal by El Kaabi at the near post, and the ball struck Diaz in the groin before going in.
That calmed a frenetic home support, who cheered their team off at the break after seeing Abde Ezzalzouli and El Kaabi come close to adding further goals.
Morocco were on top, and Cameroon’s response was to change formation after the break, from a back three to a 4-2-3-1, in an attempt to create more danger.
Ezzalzouli headed just over from a Hakimi corner, and then a cross by the Paris Saint-Germain star caused havoc in the Cameroon box as Samuel Kotto hooked the ball away from the line.
Mbeumo had appeals for a penalty dismissed by the Mauritanian referee before PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari fired in the killer second goal on 74 minutes after controlling Ezzalzouli’s dead-ball delivery, as Morocco march on to Wednesday’s semis.
News
Tinubu Is Beatable in 2027, I Know Him Well — Makinde’s Running Mate, Daura
Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is beatable in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he knows the President personally and understands his political strengths and weaknesses.
Daura, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), made the remarks on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Asked whether Tinubu could be defeated at the polls, Daura responded, “Very well,” arguing that the administration had made several mistakes that could work against the President in the 2027 election.
The former intelligence chief also dismissed the perception that Tinubu was unfamiliar to him, saying their relationship extends beyond politics.
“President Bola Tinubu is not a stranger to me. Even though he is the President of the nation, he’s the leader, the Commander-in-Chief; in another class, we’re friends. We know ourselves very well,” he said.
Daura, however, cautioned that some claims and actions attributed to Tinubu did not necessarily reflect the President’s true position.
“There are lots of things being ascribed to him which he’s not,” he added.
‘I Took Bullets for Buhari’
Reflecting on his years in government, Daura said he still misses former President Muhammadu Buhari, under whom he served as DSS Director-General.
“I do miss Muhammadu Buhari. I took bullets for him,” he said, recalling the risks he faced while serving the former President.
Daura also criticised individuals he described as sycophants who surrounded Buhari, accusing them of betraying the former President’s trust and exploiting his administration.
“There were so many sycophants around Buhari; they betrayed the trust he gave them and took advantage of that government,” he said.
Why Makinde-Daura Ticket
Defending his partnership with Oyo State Governor and APM presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, Daura said the duo shared a common vision and understanding of the country’s challenges.
“We are a pair that seems to really understand each other; we share the same passion for this country,” he said.
Daura added that the ticket’s central message was to “reset” the country and chart a new direction for Nigeria.
His comments came shortly after the unveiling of Makinde’s presidential campaign office in Abuja.
The event was attended by several political figures, including former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
Obi described Makinde as qualified to serve as President and urged Nigerians to freely choose their preferred candidate in the 2027 election.
He also called on political leaders to work together in the national interest, regardless of who eventually emerges victorious at the polls.
News
17-Year-Old Makes History as Ghana Premier League’s Youngest Captain
At just 17, Labaran Majeed Alidu is already making history in Ghanaian football after taking on the captaincy of Vision FC in the Ghana Premier League.
Born on February 24, 2009, Alidu has emerged as one of the league’s most promising young defenders and is recognised as the youngest player to captain a Ghana Premier League side.
His appointment is particularly remarkable given the demands of leading a senior professional team at an age when many players are still competing in youth football.
Alidu has been a key part of Vision FC’s commitment to developing young talent, earning valuable experience in Ghana’s top-flight league while taking on increasing responsibility within the squad.
His progress has also been recognised by the club. At Vision FC’s end-of-season awards, Alidu was named Young Player of the Season, highlighting his rapid development and growing importance to the team.
The teenage defender featured regularly for Vision FC during the 2025/26 season, further strengthening his reputation as one of Ghana’s emerging young footballers.
Beyond his defensive abilities, Alidu’s leadership qualities have set him apart. Wearing the captain’s armband at 17 represents a significant vote of confidence from the club and places him in a unique position to develop both as a player and a leader.
Vision FC’s willingness to give young players opportunities at senior level has provided Alidu with a platform to test himself against experienced professionals and accelerate his development.
His breakthrough could also serve as a model for Ghana’s youth development system, demonstrating the potential rewards of giving talented youngsters meaningful opportunities in the domestic league.
With much of his career still ahead of him, Alidu will now be hoping to build on his historic breakthrough, improve his game and establish himself as one of Ghana’s leading young defenders.
For now, his remarkable rise has already secured him a place in Ghana Premier League history.
News
Crocodile Handler Dies After Being Mauled at Papua New Guinea Wildlife Park
A crocodile handler has died after being attacked by a crocodile while working inside an enclosure at a wildlife park in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The worker, whose identity has not been released, was attacked at Adventure Park on Saturday, September 5, while reportedly attempting to feed a crocodile.
He was rushed to 3 Mile General Hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries at about 7am on Sunday, September 6.
Footage of the horrifying incident circulated on social media, showing the injured worker clinging to the edge of a pool as bystanders desperately tried to assist him.
The crocodile appeared to have its jaws locked around the man’s legs while a person outside the enclosure used a pole in an attempt to help free him. Another individual was also seen supporting the victim as onlookers gathered around the enclosure.
An eyewitness, Gibson John, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the attack occurred as the handler approached the crocodile with a chicken.
“He brought the chicken to the fence and the crocodile attacked the person and tried to bring him into the pool,” John said.
He said he contacted St John Ambulance after witnessing the attack but claimed the crocodile kept hold of the man’s legs for more than an hour before emergency responders arrived.
According to John, security guards at the park did not have firearms and instead gave the victim a small iron rod to use while they waited for the police and ambulance crew.
“He was in severe pain but he couldn’t scream,” John said, describing the victim’s condition during the ordeal.
“The only thing I could hear him say was, ‘I haven’t done anything wrong.’”
John said he later learned that the victim had lost a leg before he was taken to hospital.
The deceased worker was reportedly from the Western Islands in northern Papua New Guinea and had worked at the wildlife park for about two years.
Following the tragedy, Adventure Park has been closed indefinitely, while colleagues who witnessed the attack are reportedly mourning the handler at a funeral home.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal attack.
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