By Ronald Ocweo
First half
South Africa defeated Morocco in a tight Round of 16 clash at the Stade de San Pedro on Tuesday, January 30th.
South Africa was considered the underdog in this match due to the vast difference in market values between the Atlas Lions and Bafana Bafana.
Transfermarkt.com values the South African squad at 23.03 million euros, while Morocco is valued at 347.60 million euros, which is about 324.57 million euros more.
However, evidence has shown that statistics are less valuable for the 2023 edition of the AFCON. This match was highly anticipated by both sides, and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana outperformed Morocco’s Atlas Lions.
South Africa started the match with high enthusiasm, with Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena taking a long-range shot that tested the Moroccan goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, who made an uncomfortable save.
South Africa appeared more motivated to score, as Teboho Mokoena’s set piece missed the target, causing panic for the Atlas Lions.
During the first half of the game, Morocco and Bayer Leverkusen forward Amine Adli had a chance to put the Atlas Lions into the lead. However, he couldn’t convert it from close range due to the pressure from Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana.
Youssef En-Nesyri, the forward for both Morocco and Sevilla, came close to giving his team the lead in the first half, but his effort missed the target.
Second half
Marseille midfielder Azzedine Ounahi missed a shot within the six-yard box following a Moroccan offensive play, reminiscent of South Africa’s prior enthusiasm.
However, South Africa responded to this thrilling encounter with improved offensive play. Orlando Pirates forward Evidence Makgopa converted a Sphephelo Sithole pass, giving Bafana Bafana the lead in the 57th minute.
In a quest to respond to South Africa’s lead, Spanish-based Moroccan midfielder Abde Ezzalzouli fired a close-range shot, an effort comfortably saved by Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
With a ladder to climb, Morocco looked like the dominant team. They came close to scoring with a shot from Ayoub El Kabi that was blocked by defender Mothobi Mvala.
Moroccan players contested a defensive block made by Mvala. They demanded that a VAR review be conducted to check for a possible penalty, as they believed that Mvala had committed a handball. The players’ protests prompted the referee, Mahmood Ali Mahmoud Ismail from Sudan, to intervene and grant their request.
The Sudanese official awarded a penalty to Morocco after a VAR review, thereby bringing the North African team closer to equalizing. However, Achraf Hakimi hit the crossbar and denied the Atlas Lions a goal from the penalty spot.
After a push on Teboho Mokoena, Sofyan Amrabat, the Moroccan and Manchester United midfielder, received a red card due to his excessive force and physicality during the match.
This not only resulted in Morocco playing with 10 men, but it also allowed South Africa to convert from a set-piece just outside the six-yard box.
South Africa secured a 2-0 win over Morocco after Teboho Mokoena scored in stoppage time past Yassine Bounou.
South Africa will play against Cape Verde on February 3, 2024, at Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro.
