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Bafana Bafana beat Morocco last night in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) round of 16, which means they’re through to the quarter-finals.
This is a shocking result since Morocco is the number one soccer team ranked in Africa, while South Africa is supposed to be a far stretch behind. As of September 2023, the South African men’s national soccer team placed 65th on the FIFA World Ranking.
Yet, Bafana Bafana produced a disciplined and impressive performance to properly stun Morocco 2-0 at Stade Laurent Pokou last night.
Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena brought it home for SA, scoring in the second half while Morocco’s renowned right-back Achraf Hakimi missed a penalty in the 85th.
The players were under immense pressure against one of the tournament favourites and 2022 World Cup semifinalists Morocco, but Bafana were impressive enough, giving little away and frustrating the Atlas Lions, for whom Achraf Hakimi squandered a late penalty, per SowetanLive.
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Bafana Bafana take the lead against Morocco!
0⃣➖1⃣
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SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportFootball #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/hCzABc0F3X— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) January 30, 2024
Hakimi’s attempts soared over the bar and then Morocco faced further setbacks as Sofyan Amrabat received a direct red card for fouling Mokoena, who was clear through on goal.
The moment was tense:
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Morocco missed a golden opportunity to equalize!
0⃣➖1⃣
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SABC Sport & SABC 1
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SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportFootball #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/bCxlXM0yPM— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) January 30, 2024
The Mamelodi Sundowns player scored from the ensuing free kick, securing a 2-0 victory.
Epic results, boys.
[source:sowetanlive]
