- South Africa beat Morocco 2-0
- Morocco missed a penalty and had Amrabat sent off
- Mali beat Burkina Faso in the other match
Morocco’s wait for a first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 40 years went up in smoke after suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of South Africa in the round of 16 in San Pedro.
Goals in either half from Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena gave the Bafana Bafana a worthy victory, putting the World Cup semi-finalists Morocco to the sword and ending their dreams of conquering Africa.
South Africa, eliminated from this same stage in 2019, were hungry to make the best this time round and had a good start with Mokoena testing Bono early with a dipping shot from distance that he turned behind for a corner.
Morocco thought they had broken the deadlock after 33 minutes, but Abde Ezzalzouli was ruled out for offside. They had another chance close to the break, but Selim Amallah struck inches wide.
Morocco find themselves behind
South Africa players join Evidence Makgopa in celebrating his goal against Morocco. PHOTO/CAF
In the second half, South Africa stepped up and they broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Makgopa struck low past the keeper after being put through by Themba Zwane. The goal however was subjected to a long check from VAR over a potential offside, but it was allowed, much to the delight of Bafana.
Morocco fought for a way back and two minutes later had a chance when Ezzalzouli curved the ball on target from the left, but keeper Ronwen Williams made a good save.
In the 84th minute, off another VAR check, Morocco were handed a way back into the match from the penalty spot after Mothobi Mvala was adjudged to have handled Ayoub El Kaabi’s shot inside the box. However, Achraf Hakimi stepped up only to send the ball against the crossbar.
They were punished in extra time, Mokoena curling a brilliant freekick into the top corner. Midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was sent off for the challenge on Mokoena that led to the freekick.
Mali squeeze past Burkina
Mali celebrate their win over Burkina Faso. PHOTO/CAF
Elsewhere in the early kick off, Edmond Tapsoba’s bizarre own goal and a second half striker from Lassine Sinayoko saw Mali edge out Burkina Faso 2-1 and make the quarter finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2013 when they clinched bronze.
Bertrand Traore’s second half penalty, his third of the tournament wasn’t enough to engineer a comeback for Burkina’s Stallions, as they failed to replicate their performance from Cameroon 2021 when they reached the semis.
Mali had the perfect start and got into the lead after just three minutes when Sinayoko scored a bizarre own goal as he tried to cut out a cross from the right. It was exactly the start Mali needed, especially against a very resilient Burkina side.
They had more chances in the half, but Sinayoko and Kamory Doumbia were wasteful infront of goal, missing many golden chances to take the game into comfort.
However, Les Aigles needed just a minute into the second half to double their advantage, Sinayoko squeezing the ball between the keeper’s legs after some good build up that started way back from the keeper, ending in Hamari Traore sending Sinayoko through on the right.
Burkina scored from the spot 10 minutes later, Traore converting after the VAR awarded them a penalty for a handball inside the box, raising some hope for a comeback.
Burkina Faso almost grabbed a late equalizer from Issoufou Dayo headed in from a freekick, but the goal was chalked off for offside, with VAR confirming the same.
Mali will now take on hosts Ivory Coast in the quarters, Les Elephants beaming in confidence after eliminating defending champions Senegal on Monday.
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