Drama Ends With Cup Favorites Morocco’s Exit from AFCON 2023

*South Africa’s Bafana Bafana subdue the World Cup semi finalists

Femi Solaja with agency report

All the teams tipped as favourites to lift the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire have now exited the tournament with South Africa’s 2-0 defeat of Morocco last night another shock result.

Defending champions Senegal fell Monday night to host Côte d’Ivoire while seven-time champions Egypt  also bowed out to DR Congo. The other North African oppositions like Algeria, Tunisia and Algeria  have all exited the tournament, leaving Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the new favourites to lift the trophy come February 11.

Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena scored second-half goals as South Africa shocked Morocco with a 2-0 victory at the last-16 stage on Tuesday night.

Morocco, who had Sofyan Amrabat sent off late on, were among the favourites at the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, but their continental curse continues and they remain without a Cup of Nations title since 1976, this time undone in the muggy heat of the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro.

South Africa led in the 57th minute when midfielder Themba Zwane, so often the creative fulcrum of the side, slipped a pass through to tall striker Makgopa and he calmly slid the ball past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, before Mokoena fired in a superb late free kick.

Morocco had a chance to level with the score at 1-0 when they were awarded a  Late penalty, but Achraf Hakimi hit the crossbar to finally dim their chances of recovery.

In an earlier quarter final fixture, Mali booked a quarter-final meeting with hosts Côte d’Ivoire by holding on to beat Burkina Faso 2-1.

An own goal from Edmond Tapsoba gave Mali’s Eagles a third-minute lead, and  then had several chances to add to their advantage before half-time.

Lassine Sinayoko did make it 2-0 early in the second half with a finish through the legs of goalkeeper Herve Koffi, but Bertrand Traore pulled a goal back for the Stallions of Burkina Faso from the penalty spot just before the hour mark.

Issoufou Dayo thought he had equalised for the Burkinabe in the final minute, but his header from a free-kick was ruled out for offside and Mali saw out eight minutes of added time.

The Eagles have reached the last eight for the first time since 2013, and Eric Chelle’s side will now face the Ivorians on Saturday (17:00 GMT) for a place in the semi-finals.

All the remaining matches  of the AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire will be aired live and in HD on Sports Premium, Sports Life and Beta Sports channels on StarTimes, as well as StarTimes-ON mobile app.

RESULTS 

Mali 2-1 B’Faso

Morocco 0-2 S’Africa

Q’FINALS FIXTURES

(Friday)

Nigeria v Angola (6pm)

DR Congo v Guinea (9pm)

(Saturday)

Mali v Côte d’Ivoire (6pm)

C’Verde v S’Africa (9pm)