AFCON 2023: South Africa Stun Morocco To Seal Quarterfinal Spot

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana has knocked out Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinalist Morocco out of the ongoing Africa Cup Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.

Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena scored second-half goals to dump Morocco and ensure South Africa’s progression in the biennial continental tournament.

Morocco, who had Sofyan Amrabat sent off late on, were among the favourites at the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire but their continental woes continue as they remained without AFCON title since 1976, this time undone in the muggy heat of the Laurent Pokou Stadium.

South Africa took the lead in the 57th minute when midfielder Themba Zwane, so often the creative fulcrum of the side, slipped a pass through to tall striker Makgopa and he calmly slid the ball past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, before Mokoena fired in a superb late free kick.

Morocco had a chance to level with the score at 1-0 when they were awarded a penalty, but Achraf Hakimi hit the crossbar and it will now be South Africa who play Cape Verde in the quarter-finals in Yamoussoukro on Saturday, February 3, 2024.