Morocco sent home, as Makgopa’s goal in a 2-0 win saw South Africa into the quarter final for the third time in the last four AFCON) appearances.
Morocco the highest ranking FIFA side at the on going AFCON tournament in Cote d’Ivoire has been sent Packing by the Bafana Bafana of South Africa following a 2:0 loss in the hands of the South Africans.
First half was more of a cagey affair has both teams looked to target each other’s loophole, however none eventually came.
With resumption of hostilities in the second half, the clear message at half time for pre-tournament favourites Morocco would have been more attacking intent and subsequently they provided almost instantaneously as Azzedine Ounahi blazed over, before Oussama El Azzouzi showed blistering pace going down in the box asking questions of referee Mahmood Ismail.
However the Sudanese official waved away the claims, allowing Bafana Bafana forward on the counter attack, without a goal so far in the tournament, 23-year-old Makgopa sprung the offside trap, finishing well before wheeling away in celebration.
There were fears that the Zulu dancing would be cut short through offside, but VAR saw no wrongdoing, leaving Walid Regragui’s side in unfamiliar territory, as they now had to fight from behind for the first time at AFCON 2023.
Morocco’s desperation turned to ecstasy soon, however, as they got a golden chance to level from the spot with time running out, after substitute Ayoub El Kaabi’s effort from close range struck the hand of Mothobi Mvala.
A spot kick was duly awarded with Mvala receiving a harsh yellow card as a result. Moroccan talisman Achraf Hakimi had to wait an age for his chance, with the pressure proving too much as he crashed his effort against the crossbar.
Minutes later Manchester United’s Sofyan Amrabat saw red for a bad foul, the writing was firmly on the wall for a Morocco side now looking back on nearly 50 years without an AFCON title.
South Africa finally sent them on the plane home with an added degree of hurt, when Mokoena struck a beautiful free kick goal into the top-left corner of Bono’s net to wrap up Bafana Bafana’s progress into the next round.
South Africa will now face off with Cape Verde in the quarter finals.
With Nigeria kicking off the last 8 challenge on Friday against Angola, the Super Eagles remain the only big name aside the host Nation left behind in what has been a giant hunting AFCON tournament.
