By CHIMPREPORTS
In a surprising turn of events, Morocco, considered one of the pre-tournament favorites, was eliminated from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 2-0 loss to South Africa in the round of 16. South Africa secured their place in the quarterfinals with goals from Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena.
Makgopa opened the scoring in the 57th minute with a clinical finish past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. In the 84th minute, Morocco had an opportunity to equalize when a penalty was awarded following a VAR review after substitute Ayoub El Kaabi’s effort struck the outstretched arm of a South African defender. However, Achraf Hakimi missed the penalty, hitting the woodwork and sending the ball wide.
As tension mounted, Morocco was reduced to 10 men when midfielder Sofyan Amrabat received a second yellow card for a foul. Mokoena sealed the victory for South Africa with a brilliantly curled free-kick.
Morocco, which had reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, now joins other powerhouse teams like Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, and Cameroon in exiting the AFCON tournament.
South Africa will face Cape Verde in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Discussion about this post