AFCON: South Africa Books Quarter Final With Shock Win Over Morocco

By : Gyang Dakwo
Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena scored second-half goals as South Africa shocked Morocco with a 2-0 victory to dump the World Cup semi-finalists out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the last-16 stage in San Pedro on Tuesday.
Morocco, who had Sofyan Amrabat sent off late on, were among the favourites at the tournament in the Ivory Coast, but their continental curse continues and they remain without a Cup of Nations title since 1976, this time undone in the muggy heat of the Laurent Pokou Stadium.
South Africa led in the 57th minute when midfielder Themba Zwane, so often the creative fulcrum of the side, slipped a pass through to tall striker Makgopa and he calmly slid the ball past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, before Mokoena fired in a superb late free kick.
Morocco had a chance to level with the score at 1-0 when they were awarded a penalty, but Achraf Hakimi hit the crossbar.
South Africa will play Cape Verde in the quarter-finals in Yamoussoukro on Saturday.
In another match played earlier Mali moved into the quarter-finals after beating Burkina Faso 2-1 at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly.
The Eagles of Mali got off to a flying start with Burkina Faso defender Edmond Tapsoba beating his own goalkeeper Djigui Diarra while trying to clear a cross – handing Mali a 1-0 lead.
Mali got their second goal two minutes into the second half with Lassine Sinayoko finding the target after getting at the end of a Hamari Traore feed.
It was then too late, too little for Burkina Faso who attempted a comeback through Bertrand Traore who struck from the penalty spot on 57 minutes.
Burkina Faso captain Issoufou Dayo thought he had equalised right at the death but his headed goal was ruled to have been scored from an offside position, halting the Burkinabe’s wild celebrations.
Mali will now take on Ivory Coast in a quarter-final clash on 3 February.