Tuesday at Stade Laurent Pokou, Bafana Bafana stunned Morocco 2-0 with a disciplined and outstanding performance, moving on to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Bafana was impressive under enormous pressure against Morocco, the 2022 World Cup semi finalists and one of the tournament favorites. They gave little away and frustrated the Atlas Lions, whose Achraf Hakimi wasted a late penalty.
Bafana won with to goals from Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena in the second half, earning them a trip to the quarterfinals, where they will take on Cape Verde on Saturday.
Hugo Broos, the coach of Bafana, stuck with the same starting lineup from the team’s previous two games against Namibia and Tunisia. Khuliso Mudau, who hobbled off during the last game’s goalless draw with Tunisia, is back in the starting lineup.
Bafana made it obvious that their build-up strategy would be methodical and patient.
At the back for Bafana, Mothobi Mvala was excellent, reading every move and making some well-timed, risky tackles.
The game concludes an exciting round of 16. This quarterfinal lineup was not even anticipated by Quasimodo when the tournament began:
Angola vs Nigeria
Guinea vs Democratic Republic of Congo
Ivory Coast vs. Mali
South Africa vs. Cape Verde
