Morocco's Bono 'one of best goalkeepers in the world'
As Brahim Diaz netted goals in five consecutive fixtures and led Morocco into the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final versus Nigeria on Wednesday, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has contributed significantly too.
Known widely as Bono, this 34-year-old allowed just one goal across three group stage outings and two knockout ties, and that solitary strike came from a penalty.
Bono anticipated the right side for the penalty from Mali's Lassine Sinayoko, yet the fierce low effort evaded him, rolling beneath his frame into the goal.
The Group A summit encounter finished 1-1, marking the sole non-victory for hosts Morocco in their pursuit of a second AFCON crown, half a century on from their initial triumph.
"I hesitate to highlight specific players, yet Bono stands out as a central pillar in our team. He ranks among the premier goalkeepers globally," stated Morocco's coach Walid Regragui to journalists amid the AFCON.
Retrieving the ball from the net remains an uncommon event for the shot stopper born in Canada, who now features for Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
Since the 2024 AFCON opener in Ivory Coast up to the quarter-final success against Cameroon last Friday, Morocco have contested 29 competitive and exhibition internationals.
Bono has appeared in the majority, with the Atlas Lions shipping merely eight goals. This stands as an impressive feat, especially considering numerous encounters involved pivotal World Cup or AFCON fixtures.
He let in six goals across 2024, only twice in 12 appearances the previous year, while securing shutouts versus Tanzania and Cameroon in this month's AFCON knockout stages.
Currently, the 2023 and 2025 African goalkeeper of the year gears up for perhaps his sternest challenge lately, with Morocco set to confront Nigeria in front of a crowd approaching 70,000 in Rabat.
Confident
Nigeria top the AFCON scoring charts, amassing 14 goals over five games. Victor Osimhen has bagged four, and Ademola Lookman, another past African player of the year, has notched three.
Enhancing the formidable Super Eagles attack is rising talent Akor Adams. His strike against Algeria during the Marrakesh quarter-final marked his second of the tournament.
If Morocco advance to the Sunday final, Bono might encounter either Egyptian forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush or various offensive dangers from Senegal bolstered by Sadio Mane.
He has commended the Moroccan backline, featuring captain Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United's Noussair Mazraoui, for enabling his several clean sheets.
"I sense great assurance with Achraf, Noussair, Nayef (Aguerd) and Adam (Masina) ahead of me. Gratitude also to my fellow players who drop back and assist under duress," he shared with press.
"The semi-final teams earned their spots deservedly, each possessing exceptional talents. My hope is for Morocco to claim the trophy on Sunday."
Born in Montreal, Bono relocated with his family to Casablanca at age three. He quickly developed a passion for football, kicking a ball on the streets at every opportunity.
Guided to try goalkeeping due to his 1.95-metre stature, he entered the renowned Wydad club in Morocco's economic hub at just eight years old.
In 2010, he rose to Wydad's first team, and by 2012, he transferred to Spain. He began at Atletico Madrid, followed by periods at Real Zaragoza, Girona, and Sevilla.
Bono solidified his reputation as an elite custodian at Sevilla, aiding their Europa League victories in the second division in 2020 and three years onward.
Amid those successes came the pinnacle of his career thus far, as his stellar performances propelled Morocco to Africa's inaugural World Cup semi-final four years back in Qatar.
Bono recorded four shutouts in seven outings, facing teams like Belgium, Spain, and Portugal captained by Cristiano Ronaldo.
He shone once more internationally at the revamped Club World Cup in the United States last year, assisting Hilal in drawing with Real Madrid and overcoming Manchester City prior to a quarter-final departure.