SOUTH AFRICA produced one of the biggest upsets of the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tonight by beating favourites Morocco 2-0 in their round of 16 clash in San Pedro, Cote d’Ivoire.
Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena struck in the second half to knock out the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, who had been installed as tournament favourites.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions were the brighter and more positive side in the first half but South Africa’s Bafana Bafana made it a more even contest after the break and got their rewards.
Orlando Pirates striker Makgopa got Bafana Bafana on their way 12 minutes into the second half, the big forward shrugging off a defender before placing the ball past Bono in the Moroccan goal.
Morocco were presented with a golden opportunity to equalise when a penalty was awarded to them for handball after a VAR review, but Achraf Hakimi slammed his effort against the crossbar with six minutes of regulation time left.
There was more drama to come as Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was then sent off for a last-man foul two minutes into 10 minutes of added time.
South Africa sealed the stunning victory directly from the resulting free-kick as Mokoena found the top corner to send Bafana Bafana players and fans into wild celebrations.
Earlier today, Mali defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 in Korhogo to also reach the quarter-finals.
An Edmond Tapsoba own goal and
Lassine Sinayoko strike gave Mali a 2-0 lead before Bernard Traore pulled one back for Burkina Faso from the penalty spot.
In the quarter-finals, South Africa will battle Cape Verde and Mali will confront hosts Cote d’Ivoire, with both matches slated for Saturday.
