Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo has admitted that a poor first-half performance proved costly as the Indomitable Lions were knocked out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by hosts Morocco, a defeat he described as “really sad” given the circumstances.

Cameroon fell to a 2–0 loss on Friday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari finding the net in front of a passionate home crowd. The result sent Morocco into the semi-finals and ended Cameroon’s campaign at the quarter-final stage.

Featuring at his first AFCON since committing his international future to Cameroon in 2022, the 26-year-old attacker started all five matches at the tournament. While he failed to score, Mbeumo provided an assist in Cameroon’s opening win over Gabon.

“We didn’t play our football in the first half,” Mbeumo told BBC Sport Africa. “In the second half, we were much better on the ball and made them adapt. They took their chances, and congratulations to them.”

Cameroon felt hard done by when a second-half penalty appeal involving Mbeumo was waved away, but head coach David Pagou echoed his player’s assessment of the performance.

“The players were a bit timid at the beginning,” Pagou said. “We improved in the second half and got back into the game. Overall, this group gave a lot of emotions to the Cameroonian people, and that was our objective. Unfortunately, Morocco stopped us, but we will continue our progression.”

Pagou was appointed on the eve of the tournament after Belgian coach Marc Brys was controversially dismissed by the Cameroonian Football Federation, with federation president Samuel Eto’o watching from the stands in Rabat.

Cameroon travelled to Morocco with a youthful squad, leaving out several senior figures, including goalkeeper André Onana. Despite the early exit, positives emerged, particularly the performances of Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, who made his international debut during the group stage and scored against Mozambique and South Africa.

“We have a very good, young group with quality, and that’s positive for the future,” Mbeumo added.

Díaz Emerges as Morocco’s X Factor

Morocco once again leaned on the brilliance of Brahim Díaz, who now has five goals in five matches — a national record at a single AFCON tournament. The Real Madrid playmaker’s influence was evident as the hosts thrived in the intense atmosphere generated by their supporters.

Head coach Walid Regragui hailed the fans as a decisive factor, describing them as a “12th player” and calling the performance one of Morocco’s best since their historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“They supported us from the first minute to the last,” said goalscorer Ismael Saibari. “That energy pushes us to give more.”

Morocco have now reached their first AFCON semi-final since 2004 and remain in pursuit of just their second continental title, their last coming 50 years ago.

Defender Romain Saïss praised the team’s mentality, intensity and desire, while highlighting Díaz as one of the squad’s technical leaders.

Head coach Regragui labelled Díaz Morocco’s best player and their “X factor,” stressing the importance of his mentality and work ethic.

“He can be the best player in the world if he wants,” Regragui said.

Morocco will now face either Algeria or Nigeria in the semi-finals, as their dream of continental glory gathers momentum on home soil.