By Kopano Dibakwane
The whole of South Africa stood united in support of Bafana Bafana against the number one national team in Africa and FIFA World Cup Semi-Finalists, Morrocco, at the Laurent Pokou Stadium on Tuesday evening, 30 January, inwhich Bafana Bafana secured a 2-0 victory and automatically qualified for the AFCON quarterfinals.
Morocco came into the game as favourites, although they played without some of their key players who picked up injuries in previous matches. The South African squad played it safe for the opening 15 minutes of the first half, while strengthening the defence made up of Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala and the energetic all-rounder Khuliso Mudau.
Evidence Makgopa scored the first goal in the 56th minute while Tebogo Mokoena doubled the lead from a spectacular set piece in the 90th minute.
Morocco missed a chance to remain in the game after they missed a penalty in the 84th minute. They chased the game with the hope to equalise, but Bafana displayed a good fight until the final whistle.
The man of the match accolade went to Teboho Mokoena.
The South African senior men’s team will face Cape Verde on Saturday 3 February, with the hope to reach the semi-final.
