Achraf Hakimi missed a late chance to equalise from the penalty spot as South Africa shocked 10-man Morocco to set up a quarter-final against Cape Verde at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Evidence Makgopa produced a neat finish to score the opener in the 57th minute, surviving a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for offside and putting Bafana Bafana on their way to a surprise victory over the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists.
Hakimi was afforded a golden opportunity to level when Mothobi Mvala was adjudged to have handled Ayoub El Kaabi’s shot, only to fire his 85th minute spot-kick against the crossbar.
Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was dismissed in stoppage time before Teboho Mokoena curled a classy free-kick past Bono to confirm the upset in style.
The 1996 champions will now aim to improve upon their quarter-final exit on their most recent appearance at the finals in 2019, when they take on the unbeaten Blue Sharks on Saturday (20:00 GMT) for a place in the last four.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Morocco
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Bono
- 2Hakimi
- 5Aguerd
- 6Saïss
- 3MazraouiSubstituted forAttiat-Allahat 76′minutes
- 8Ounahi
- 4S AmrabatBooked at 90mins
- 15AmallahSubstituted forSaibariat 60′minutes
- 21AdliSubstituted forHaritat 60′minutes
- 19En-Nesyri
- 16EzzalzouliSubstituted forEl Kaabiat 69′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Tissoudali
- 10Harit
- 11Saibari
- 12Mohamedi
- 13Abdelhamid
- 14El Azzouzi
- 20El Kaabi
- 23El Khannouss
- 24Richardson
- 25Attiat-Allah
- 26Riad
- 27Chibi
South Africa
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Williams
- 20Mudau
- 18KekanaBooked at 36mins
- 14MvalaBooked at 83mins
- 6ModibaBooked at 29mins
- 4Mokoena
- 13SitholeSubstituted forMonareat 87′minutes
- 23Morena
- 11ZwaneSubstituted forMasekoat 70′minutes
- 10Tau
- 9MakgopaSubstituted forLepasaat 72′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Mobbie
- 3Mashego
- 5Xulu
- 7Appollis
- 8Adams
- 12Maseko
- 15Monare
- 16Mothwa
- 17Lepasa
- 19Sibisi
- 21Mayambela
- 22Goss
Live Text
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Match ends, Morocco 0, South Africa 2.
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Second Half ends, Morocco 0, South Africa 2.
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Hand ball by Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco).
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Attempt missed. Zakhele Lepasa (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Teboho Mokoena following a fast break.
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Attempt saved. Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Youssef En-Nesyri with a headed pass.
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Offside, South Africa. Zakhele Lepasa is caught offside.
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Offside, South Africa. Thapelo Maseko is caught offside.
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Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Thapelo Maseko (South Africa).
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Offside, Morocco. Romain Saïss is caught offside.
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Corner, Morocco. Conceded by Grant Kekana.
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Goal! Morocco 0, South Africa 2. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
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Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco) is shown the red card.
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VAR Decision: Card upgraded Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco).
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Foul by Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco).
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Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Thapelo Maseko (South Africa).
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Ismael Saibari (Morocco) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Percy Tau (South Africa).
