Bafana Bafana advanced to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating favourites Morocco 2-0 in the round of 16 on Tuesday night.
2023 Africa Cup of Nation
Result: Morocco 0-2 South Africa
Date: 30 January 2024
Venue: Stade Laurent Pokou
Bafana named the same line-up from the goalless draw against Tunisia, as Evidence Makgopa was supported upfront by Percy Tau and Themba Zwane
Morocco started on the front foot as the looked for spaces but were quickly closed down by the South Africans.
Hugo Broos' charges came the closest to going ahead on 15 minutes after Teboho Mokoena forced a save out of shot-stopper Yassine Bounou with a long range shot.
South Africa could not keep attacking for longer periods by they defended as a unit, as the defence also did well to make crucial blocks in and around the box.
However, Bafana had some attacking momentum towards the end of the first stanza as on the stroke of half-time Mokoena came close again with a long range shot that flew just wide and the sides went to the break without goals.
South Africa were more confident on the ball coming from the break and Makgopa eventually broke the deadlock shortly before the hour-mark with a low strike between the legs of Bounou after a through ball by Zwane.
The Atlas Lions were immediately fired up as Abde Ezzalzouli came close to getting the equaliser moments later with a strike that was parried away by shot-stopper Ronwen Williams.
Walid Regragui's men continued to pressurize Bafana but Broos' men stood their ground until 20 minutes was left, where the Belgian made a tactical change, as Thapelo Maseko replaced Zwane for more speed up top.
Morocco's pressure yielded them a penalty in the last eight minutes from a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review after a shot in the box hit the arm of Mothobi Mvala.
However, Achraf Hakimi could not capitalize, as his rising spot-kick crashed the crossbar and went over the goals.
Morocco committed numbers going forward and were reduced to ten men in stoppage time from a counter-attack after Sofyan Amrabat was red-carded for denying Mokoena a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Mokoena sealed the result for Bafana from the resultant free-kick after he made it 2-0 with a curling shot from the edge of the box that found the top corner.
Bafana will face Cape Verde in the quarter-finals.
Here's how they lined up:
Morocco: Bono, Hakimi, Saiss, Ageurd, Mazraoui, Amallah, Amrabat, Ounah, Adli, Ezzalzouli, En-Nyesri
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Tau, Morena, Zwane, Makgopa
Subs: Mothwa, Goss, Mobbie, Mashego, Xulu, Appollis, Adams, Maseko, Monare, Lepasa, Sibisi, Mayambela
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