South Africa stun favourites Morocco to seal quarter-final spot
South Africa stunned Morocco with a 2-0 victory in San Pedro on Tuesday, knocking the World Cup semi-finalists out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the last-16 stage. Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena scored in the second half.
Morocco, who had Sofyan Amrabat sent off late on, were among the favourites for the tournament in Ivory Coast, but their continental curse continues, and they haven't won a Cup of Nations title since 1976, this time in the muggy heat of the Laurent Pokou Stadium.
South Africa took the lead in the 57th minute when midfielder Themba Zwane, the team's creative fulcrum, slipped a pass through to tall striker Makgopa, who calmly slid the ball past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, before Mokoena scored a superb late free kick.
Morocco had a chance to tie the game at 1-0 when they were awarded a penalty, but Achraf Hakimi hit the crossbar.
South Africa will face Cape Verde in the quarterfinals in Yamoussoukro on Saturday.
South Africa, winners in 1996, have struggled in continental competition over the last few decades and have not advanced beyond the quarter-finals since 2000, but they put on a stoic defensive display to go with flashes of attacking quality to seal a famous victory.
Morocco appeared to suffer in the oppressive heat and were a far cry from the entertaining team that wowed at the World Cup in Qatar, missing the attacking talents of injured playmaker Hakim Ziyech.
They were unable to break down their opponents, and despite being awarded a clear penalty following a handball by defender Mothobi Mvala, Hakimi ended their night by hitting the goal frame.
The first half was devoid of clear-cut chances as South Africa took a cautious approach and played a containment game, maintaining their structure rather than throwing bodies into the attack.
Mokoena forced Bounou into a good save with a 30-yard shot, and Percy Tau headed wide from a corner.
However, the best opportunity of the first 45 minutes fell to Moroccan winger Amine Adli just before halftime. He delayed his 10-yard shot, allowing the covering defence to close in on him.
After Makgopa gave South Africa the lead, they retreated deeper into their shell, relying on a counterattack.
Their second goal was a sublime free kick from dead-ball specialist Mokoena in the fifth minute of stoppage time, after Amrabat was sent off for a professional foul.
SportsLigue