AFCON 2023: South Africa edge Morocco to book quarter-final ticket

Teboho Mokoena of South Africa celebrates his goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations match between Morocco and South Africa at Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, Cote dIvoire on 30 January 2024 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

South Africa produced one of the major upsets in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 after knocking Morocco out with a 2-0 win in the round of 16.

The first half saw few goal scoring opportunities being created.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco got the best chance of the first half but saw their goal being disallowed by the VAR.

The second half was opposite to what the first half provided in-terms of drama and goals.

South Africa took the lead in the 57th minute when their striker, Evidence Makgopa, connected to a pass inside the 18-yard box to hit the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

After going down, Morocco had just one mission, to equalise. This led to the introduction of more forwards.

Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute when a ball hit the hands of Teboho Mokoena in the South African 18-yard box, and a penalty was finally awarded after a VAR review.

PSG’s Achraf Hakimi stepped up to convert but he ended up hitting the ball against the crossbar and his effort went off the pitch.

Huge relief for South Africa after the miss but the pressure was still on them.

Sofyan Amrabat was shown the exit after a challenge on Mokoena as last man and was shown a second yellow, which was upgraded to a straight red after VAR review by referee Mahmood Ismail

South Africa took advantage of the numerical disadvantage and added the second goal to seal the game thanks to a wonderful free kick by Teboho Mokoena.

South Africa will play Cape Verde on Saturday at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro at the quarter-finals. — cafonline.com