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

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

The first half saw few goalscoring opportunities being created.

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

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

South Africa took the lead in the 57th minute when 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 – 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. The penalty was awarded after a VAR review.

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

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

Sofyan Amrabat was shown the exit card after a hard challenge on Mokoena. He was initially shown a second yellow but the card turned red after a VAR review by referee Mahmood Ismail.

South Africa took advantage of its numerical advantage 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.