South Africa knocked out the World Cup Semi-Finalists, Morocco from Afcon 2023

Bafana Bafana knocked out the World Cup Semi-Finalists, Lion Atlas (Morocco) from Afcon 2023.

South Africa have beaten Morocco 2-0 to qualify for the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Two second-half goals from Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena made the difference with Achraf Hakimi also missing a crucial penalty to go level.

The North Africans, touted as tournament favourites became the latest major casualty 24 hours after defending champions, Senegal, were also dumped out.

Makgopa gave South Africa the lead just before the hour mark in the Ivorian coastal city of San-Pedro, but Morocco had the chance to draw level five minutes from time from the penalty spot.

Excellent second half goals from Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena earned Bafana Bafana a famous victory against a Moroccan side who saw Achraf Hakimi miss a late penalty and finished with ten men after Sofyan Amrabat was sent off.

Mokoena sealed the win for South Africa by whipping home a brilliant shot from the free-kick he had just won, sparking jubilant scenes in the Bafana Bafana squad.

They will now face Cape Verde in a quarter-final of AFCON underdogs, while Morocco will rue a huge missed opportunity to win the continent’s biggest prize.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mali held on to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 and seal their place in the last eight, where they will play tournament hosts Ivory Coast.

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