BAFANA Bafana go through to quarter-finals on Saturday in Yamoussokro against Island side Cape Verde, who have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament thus far.
The SA team outmuscled the stubborn Morocco 2-0 last night, in a thrilling encounter full of drama, with a red card for Morocco and a missed penalty.
Yes, many including this reporter, gave Bafana no chance to advance to the quarter-finals on Saturday, considering Moroccans are currently ranked No1 in Africa.
The last time Bafana qualified for quarters was in 2019.
Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa opened the account after outmuscling the Moroccan defender, and the advancing goalkeeper had no chance to stop the lanky striker’s goal, after a receiving splitting pass from Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba “Mshishi” Zwane.
His teammate and ‘evergreen’ Tebogo Mokoena did what he does best: converting a place kick that will undoubtedly compete for one of best goals of the 2023 Afcon tourney.
Morrocans tried every trick in the book but it all came to a naught, as they felt frustrated and defeated. Injuries to star striker Ziyad and other players compounded matters for them.Sur
Surprise, surprise, because Morocco join Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt in being knocked out, meaning none of the five top-ranked African nations will be present in the quarter-finals, as well as none of the four semi-finalists from the last edition.
As reported in my previous coverage, as long as Bafana’s defence is in good shape in the form of heavily head bandaged Downs’ defender Grant Kekana, his teammates at Downs’ Aubrey Modiba and no-nonsense Mothobi Mvala, the team is likely to progress to the next stage of the tourney.
Verde are no push-overs considering their work rate and having progressed to the quarters, they will take the game to Bafana, and fire all cylinders.
Coach Hugh Broos and Helman Mkhalele troops must, at all accounts, avoid complacency, they’re aware the price they will pay, finish & klaar!
2023 RWC Boks have also sent their messages of support to the entire team.
Image (Bucs striker Evidence Makgopa scored his first goal at the tourney as Bafana outplayed Morocco to register their 2-0 win, thus booking a date with Cape Verde on Saturday for the quarters).
