Soccer
Bafana stun the Atlas Lions to reach AFCON quarter-finals─── MORGAN PIEK 09:05 Wed, 31 Jan 2024
“We beat Morocco, and it is not only because we are in the quarter-finals, but beating a team like Morocco is something special. This Morocco is a very good team, with very good players. But, we did the right analysis, and out tactics were right.”
Bafana Bafana are through to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Ivory Coast.
On Tuesday night, South Africa beat the much-more fancied and number one ranked Morocco 2-0 to advance to the last eight.
Evidence Makgopa opened the scoring with a 57th minute goal, but it was a stunning free-kick by Teboho Mokoena that sealed the deal for South Africa five minutes into stoppage time.
The Atlas Lions had a chance to level matters earlier in the game but Achraf Hakimi, who had a bee in his bonnet throughout the contest, missed from the penalty spot.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos said beating a team like Morocco is something special and their tactics were spot-on.
“I don’t think I have to tell you I am very happy,” said the Belgian tactician who previously won the AFCON with Cameroon.
“We beat Morocco, and it is not only because we are in the quarter-finals, but beating a team like Morocco is something special.
“This Morocco is a very good team, with very good players. But, we did the right analysis, and I think the way we played our tactics were right.
“The second half was more open and there were a few chances for Morocco. We scored first which is always important. After that we were a bit lucky.
“Morocco started to play with all their big players in front and with high balls. There were very hard duels and they had a few chances but after the second goal the match was done.”
In Tuesday night’s other round of 16 match, Mali beat Burkina Faso 2-1 to setup a date with the hosts, Ivory Coast, in the quarter-finals.
On Saturday, Bafana will face Cape Verde in the quarter-finals. This match at Stade de Yamoussoukro will kick-off at 22:00.
?? ???????? ??
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) January 30, 2024
Bafana Bafana take the lead against Morocco!
???? 0??1? ????
?? LIVE
?? SABC Sport & SABC 1
?? https://t.co/hibb8lgo8P
?? SABC+
?? SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportFootball #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/hCzABc0F3X
?? ???????? ??
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) January 30, 2024
Teboho Mokoena extends Bafana's lead!
???? 0??2? ????
?? LIVE
?? SABC Sport & SABC 1
?? https://t.co/hibb8lgo8P
?? SABC+
?? SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportFootball #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/mT7g0k8mvW
Quarter-finals:
2 February:
19:00 - Nigeria vs. Angola
22:00 - DR Congo vs. Guinea
3 February:
19:00 - Mali vs. Ivory Coast
22:00 - Cape Verde vs. South Africa
Morgan Piek OFM Sport
