RABAT, Morocco

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars bowed out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with pride after a narrow 1–0 loss to hosts Morocco in the Round of 16 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.

The tightly contested match was decided in the 64th minute, when Brahim Díaz scored the only goal of the game to send Morocco into the quarter-finals.

Despite the defeat, Tanzania delivered a disciplined and composed performance against one of the tournament favourites, limiting Morocco to few clear chances and remaining competitive throughout the contest.

The Taifa Stars’ organised defending and calm approach earned them respect from fans and observers alike.

Reaching the Round of 16 marked Tanzania’s best-ever performance at AFCON, having advanced from the group stage as one of the best third-placed teams.

Their campaign included a 1–1 draw with Tunisia, a result that proved decisive in securing progression to the knockout stage.

Tanzania’s exit ends a historic AFCON run that highlighted the team’s growing confidence and ability to compete at the highest level of African football.

The performance in Rabat reinforced optimism around the Taifa Stars’ future on the continental stage.

The Round of 16 has produced the following verified outcomes:

Morocco 1–0 Tanzania

Tanzania eliminated; Morocco advance to quarter-finals.

Mali 1–1 Tunisia (Mali won 3–2 on penalties)

Mali book a quarter-final date with Senegal.

Senegal 3–1 Sudan — Senegal confirmed among the quarter-finalists.

Upcoming Round of 16 and quarter-final line-up
The South Africa vs Cameroon match remains to be completed; the winner will face Morocco in the quarter-finals on January 9, 2026.

Reports indicate this tie is a crucial decider shaping the knockout bracket in Rabat.

Quarter-finals confirmed so far:

Senegal vs Mali — scheduled in Tangier.

Morocco vs (South Africa/Cameroon) — to be confirmed after Sunday’s game.

Other Round of 16 fixtures including Egypt vs Benin, Nigeria vs Mozambique, Algeria vs DR Congo and Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso will decide the remaining quarter-final pairings once completed.

Tanzania’s progress at AFCON 2025

Tanzania’s journey to the Round of 16 — their best performance to date — saw them overcome the group phase on points and goals-scored advantage.

Their spirited display against Morocco, though ending in defeat, underscored their growth and potential on Africa’s biggest football stage.