The Bafana Bafana of South Africa yesterday made a statement with their wonderful display against Morocco at the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena scored two second half goals that ended the dreams of the Atlas Lions of Morocco.
Achraf Hakimi became a Villain after missing a crucial penalty late in the game to equalize for the North Africans and change the tempo of the game.
Tebiho Mokoena tooK advantage of Hakimi’s miss to convert a late freekick to seal victory for the South Africans.
The North Africans, touted as tournament favourites became the latest major casualty 24 hours after defending champions, Senegal, were also dumped out.
Sofyan Amrabat received the marching orders in the 92nd minute after fouling an onrushing South African forward who was clearly goal bound, the resultant freekick was taken and converted by Tebiho Mokoena for Bafana Bafana’s second goal.
Bafana Bafana go through to a quarter-final on Saturday in Yamoussokro against tiny Cape Verde, who have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament so far.
South Africa will test the might of the Blue sharks of Cape Verde next week in the quarter-final fixture at the ongoing AFCON tournament.