AFCON: Bafana Bafana Eye Atlas Lions Scalp

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will seek to qualify for the quarterfinals of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they lock horns with the Atlas Lions of Morocco at the San Pedro Stadium in their Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Hugo Broos’ team loss their opener game against Mali before redeemed themselves with a 4-0 thrashing of Namibia in their second group match and played to a goalless draw against Tunisia to secure their qualification to the Round of 16 by finishing second in Group E.

The Atlas Lions started off their campaign on a winning note, comfortably beating Tanzania 3-0. Their next match in Group F saw them draw 1-1 with Congo, who have booked their spot in the quarterfinals. Their final group match ended with a 1-0 win over Zambia.

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, will return to the touchline after his two-match suspension was lifted following an appeal.

Speaking of the match, Bafana Bafana Coach Hugo Broos believes his team can beat Morocco and progress to the final of the tournament.

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“If we beat Morocco then we know we have a big chance to play in the final. And I don’t want to underestimate Cape Verde or Mauritania but it’s still a difference from playing those teams than against a side like we are playing on Tuesday,” said Broos.

“So we know that if we can [beat Morocco] we take a big step towards what we all wanted — playing in the final and maybe winning it.”

Atlas Lions head coach, Walid Regragui, said he is targeting a win and hopes his nation will get their hands on the AFCON trophy following their solid run in the 2022 World Cup.

“What we did at the World Cup was historic and when people recognise this talent, it means so much to me and everyone on the team. It was an unbelievable achievement at the World Cup. We put Africa on the world map,” he said.

“But now, we have a different mindset. The Africa Cup of Nations is very, very tough but we are going with the same spirit and inshallah, if we do our very best, we are going to win this trophy.”