South Africa thump Morocco with 2-1 victory
South Africa produced an impressive performance to beat Morocco 2-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The win extended South Africa’s unbeaten run in AFCON qualifying at home to 16 matches. The match featured a goalkeeping error from Morocco’s Munir el Kajoui, which led to their first defeat since reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
The match in Johannesburg attracted a crowd of 50,000 despite freezing conditions. South Africa wasted no time asserting their dominance as Moroccan goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui took an early lead with an own goal from Percy Tau’s cross. Zakhele Lepasa capitalized on a defensive run back to extend South Africa’s lead in the second half.
However, the Atlas Lions refused to back down. Hakim Ziyech showed his brilliance with a superb left-footed shot to reduce the deficit and raise hopes of a Moroccan comeback. Despite Morocco’s efforts, they could not find an equaliser, suffering their first official defeat since their elimination from the World Cup. In another thrilling AFCON qualifier, Zambia secured their first place in the finals since 2015 with a 3-0 win over Ivory Coast. Chipopolo (Copper Bullets) dominated the game and produced an impressive performance in front of their home crowd in Ndola.
With these results, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Morocco, both qualified teams, proved their competitive spirit and set the stage for an exciting clash. South Africa’s win not only extended their unbeaten record but also served as a confidence booster for the team. On the other hand, Morocco coach Walid Reragui saw the loss as a valuable learning opportunity for his players after a grueling season of domestic and World Cup matches.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s triumph over Ivory Coast marked a major milestone for the team, ending their three unsuccessful qualification campaigns and securing their place in the AFCON finals. The victory was celebrated by passionate fans in Ndola who witnessed their team’s impressive performance. As the AFCON qualifiers progress, the stage is set for an exciting tournament where South Africa, Morocco and Zambia will showcase their talents alongside other African football powerhouses in their pursuit of the AFCON title.
