Bafana Bafana have beaten African Cup of Nations (AFCON) favourites Morocco 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament in San Pedro in Ivory Coast.
Coach Hugo Broos used the same line-up that featured against Tunisia last week, while Morocco was without key players such as Sofiane Boufal and Hakim Ziyech.
Morocco dominated the first half putting Bafana on the back-foot and forcing goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to make several safes.
Bafana opened their account when Evidence Makgopa beat the offside trap after collecting a pass from Zwane.
The Atlas Lions, as Morocco is popularly known, received a lifeline with seven minutes remaining, when they were awarded a penalty, after Mothobi Mvala handled the ball in the box.
But Achraf Hakimi missed the opportunity to level the game when his shot soared over the bar.
Few minutes later man of the match Teboho Mokoena curled a free kick to increase the lead by two goals.
Broos couldn’t hide his happiness after the match and applauded the team’s tactics.
“I don’t think that I have to tell you that I’m very happy today, we beat Morocco.
And it’s not only because we’re in the quarterfinals but beating a team like Morocco is something special.
This is a very good team, with very good players, but we did the right analysis.
The way we played, the tactic was the right one,” said Broos.
For his part, Mokoena said the team has improved since losing its opener against Mali.
“We knew Morocco are very strong on the wings.
They overload the sides with Hakimi, Ounahi, and the other winger, so we dealt with that and closed their game plan because their central midfield didn’t know where to pass the ball.”
The team has improved as the tournament continues, and we’re playing good as team,” said Mokoena.
He said he can’t predict the team’s next matches, as it continues to surprise many, with the top five countries in the continent already sent home.
Bafana will now face Cape Verder for a place in the semi-final of the AFCON.
