ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – In a stunning turn of events at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Bafana Bafana secured a remarkable 2-0 victory over World Cup finalists Morocco in the last 16 on Tuesday night.
Second-half goals from Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena propelled South Africa to a surprising triumph, eliminating one of the tournament’s formidable teams.
Makgopa opened the scoring in the 57th minute, catching coach Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions off guard.
Morocco’s hopes suffered a further blow when renowned right-back Achraf Hakimi missed a penalty in the 85th minute.
The situation worsened as Sofyan Amrabat received a red card in added time, reducing Morocco to 10 men.
Mokoena sealed the deal with a superb free-kick, securing Bafana Bafana‘s place in the quarterfinals.
Belgian coach Hugo Broos expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting the absence of European-based stars Lebo Mothiba and Lyle Foster.
Despite missing key players, Bafana Bafana displayed excellent defense, effective counterattacks, and midfield brilliance, earning them another memorable upset in AFCON.
The victory echoed South Africa’s 2019 triumph when they stunned hosts Egypt in the last 16.
As they gear up to face Cape Verde in the quarterfinals on Saturday, the team under Broos appears more well-rounded and poised for further success.

While questions may arise over the decisions of the referee and VAR team, Bafana Bafana’s solid defense and tactical prowess played a crucial role in securing the victory.
The Mamelodi Sundowns back four and the standout performances of players like Mokoena showcased the team’s resilience against a formidable opponent.
The match was characterized by moments of pressure from Morocco, but Bafana Bafana remained composed and thwarted their opponents’ advances.
The team’s ability to hold its own in the opening half set the tone for the unexpected triumph.
As South Africa advances in the tournament, the sense of optimism grows, and fans anticipate further success under the guidance of coach Broos.
The victory against Morocco marks a significant achievement and positions Bafana Bafana as a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing AFCON competition.