Kelvin Bowoto
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana eliminated Morocco, the semifinalist of the 2022 FIFA World Cup from Qatar, from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire, in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena scored second-half goals to defeat Morocco and secure South Africa’s spot in the biennial regional championship.
Morocco, which had Sofyan Amrabat sent off late in the game, was among the favorites for the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, but their continental problems continue as they have not won an AFCON trophy since 1976, this time being defeated in the muggy heat of the Laurent Pokou Stadium.
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South Africa seized the lead in the 57th minute when midfielder Themba Zwane, the team’s creative fulcrum, slipped a pass through to tall striker Makgopa, who smoothly slid the ball past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, before Mokoena hammered in a fantastic late free kick.
Morocco had an opportunity to tie the game at 1-1 when they were awarded a penalty, but Achraf Hakimi hit the crossbar, and South Africa will now face Cape Verde in the quarterfinals at Yamoussoukro on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
Techrectory with Agency Report.
