While Brahim Diaz has grabbed headlines with goals in five consecutive matches to propel Morocco into an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final showdown with Nigeria on Wednesday, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has been just as influential in the Atlas Lions’ impressive run.

Fondly called Bono, the 34-year-old shot-stopper has conceded only once across three group matches and two knockout games at the tournament — and even that goal came from the penalty spot.

Mali forward Lassine Sinayoko was the only player to beat him, converting a powerful low penalty despite Bono correctly guessing the direction. The 1-1 draw in that Group A encounter remains the only match Morocco have not won so far as the hosts chase a second AFCON crown, 50 years after their maiden triumph.

“I don’t like singling out individuals, but Bono is a key figure in our squad. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” Morocco head coach Walid Regragui said during the competition.

Goals against the Canada-born goalkeeper are a rarity. Since the start of the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast up to last Friday’s quarter-final victory over Cameroon, Morocco have played 29 competitive and friendly matches, conceding just eight goals — most of them in high-pressure World Cup and AFCON fixtures.

Bono let in six goals in 2024, only two across 12 matches last year, and has kept clean sheets against Tanzania and Cameroon in AFCON knockout games this month.

Now crowned African Goalkeeper of the Year in both 2023 and 2025, Bono is preparing for arguably his sternest test yet as Morocco face Nigeria in Rabat before a near-capacity crowd of 70,000.
Nigeria arrive as the tournament’s top scorers with 14 goals in five matches.

Victor Osimhen has netted four, Ademola Lookman has added three, while rising striker Akor Adams — scorer against Algeria in the quarter-finals — completes a dangerous Super Eagles attack.

Should Morocco progress to Sunday’s final, Bono could next face Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush or a Senegal side inspired by Sadio Mane.

The Al Hilal goalkeeper has been quick to credit those in front of him, including captain Achraf Hakimi, Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd and Adam Masina.

“I feel very confident with Achraf, Noussair, Nayef and Adam in front of me,” Bono said. “And credit to the rest of the team who always drop back to help when we are under pressure.”

Born in Montreal, Bono moved to Casablanca at the age of three and fell in love with football on the streets.

Encouraged to play in goal because of his 1.95m frame, he joined Wydad Casablanca at just eight years old, breaking into the senior team in 2010 before moving to Spain two years later.

After spells with Atletico Madrid, Real Zaragoza and Girona, he rose to prominence at Sevilla, winning the Europa League in 2020 and again in 2023.

The pinnacle of his career came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where his heroics helped Morocco become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. Bono kept four clean sheets, shutting out Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

He continued his big-stage performances at last year’s expanded Club World Cup in the United States, helping Al Hilal hold Real Madrid and eliminate Manchester City before bowing out in the quarter-finals.

Now, with Morocco dreaming of lifting the AFCON trophy on home soil, Bono once again stands as their last — and perhaps strongest — line of defence.