South Africa Stuns Morocco to Reach AFCON Quarter-Finals; FIFA’s Highest-Ranked Teams All Eliminated

In a dramatic turn of events at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), South Africa secured a stunning upset victory over Morocco, advancing to the quarter-finals.

The clash between South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Morocco’s Atlas Lions showcased unexpected outcomes, leaving fans in awe and disbelief.

The match unfolded with South Africa delivering a smash-and-grab performance, seizing a 2-0 victory against the continent’s top-ranked nation, Morocco, in a Round of 16 showdown in San Pedro.

The heroics came primarily from Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa, who broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with a clinical finish. Teboho Mokoena further solidified South Africa’s triumph with a late goal in the fifth minute of added time.

Despite Morocco’s dominance in possession and a string of scoring opportunities, they failed to capitalize, with Achraf Hakimi missing a crucial late penalty and striking the bar. The Atlas Lions’ woes deepened as Sofyan Amrabat received a red card, reducing them to ten men following a foul on Mokoena, as confirmed by VAR.

South Africa’s victory not only propelled them to the quarter-finals but also marked the exit of several FIFA’s highest-ranked teams from the competition. Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Tunisia—all prestigious footballing nations—succumbed to unexpected defeats, reshaping the AFCON landscape.

Meanwhile, Mali clinched a hard-fought 2-1 win against Burkina Faso earlier in the tournament, securing their spot in the quarter-finals.

Mali’s resilience in defense and effective counter-attacking football propelled them past Burkina Faso, setting up a clash with tournament hosts Ivory Coast in the next round.

As the quarter-finals approach, the AFCON stage is set for further surprises and intense battles. Nigeria is set to face Angola, while DR Congo takes on Guinea in matchups brimming with anticipation.

Mali’s showdown against (host) Ivory Coast promises to be a gripping encounter, while South Africa prepares to square off against Cape Verde in their quest for continental glory.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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