By Michael Madyira
Evidence Makgopa’s 57th-minute goal and Teboho Mokoena’s free-kick deep in stoppage time saw South Africa upstaging the continent’s top-ranked team at the Laurent Pokou Stadium.
Orlando Pirates forward Makgopa had a big say while Morocco’s most trusted player on the park Achraf Hakimi’s late penalty crashed against the crossbar as Bafana emerged triumphant.
Coach Hugo Broos’ promise to guide his side into the final is still on course and instilled a fresh air of belief after upsetting Morocco, who were expected to walk past South Africa.
For the third match running, Broos maintained the same starting line-up, with Mothobi Mvala and Khuliso Mudau passing late fitness tests.
Morocco were without Sofiane Boufal who was ruled out for the rest of the tournament. Coach Walid Regragui handed left-back Noussair Mazraoui his first game of the tournament after he arrived in Ivory Coast injured.
An unfit Hakim Ziyech watched from the stands.
Nine minutes into the contest, Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams denied Youssef En-Nesyri in a one-on-one situation.
Six minutes later, Teboho Mokoena forced a desperate save from Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a trademark long-range shot after being set up by Themba Zwane.
Bayer Leverkusen forward Amine Adli almost beat the half-time whistle when he came face to face with Williams but bizarrely shot wide.
It was Bafana’s solid defence that carried them throughout, limiting the Atlas Lions from having attempts at goal.
With the match not promising goals after the restart, Makgopa beat Bounou with a low strike after connecting a Zwane pass.
Williams was then left with a massive responsibility to save Bafana after Morocco were handed a penalty following Mothobi Mvala’s handball inside the box.
But Hakimi agonisingly watched his shot crash against the woodwork.
It got worse for the Atlas Lions who then went down to 10 men when Sofyan Amrabat walked for a body check on Mokoena just outside the box.
From the resultant free-kick, Mokoena beat Bounou in the top left corner to kill the match as a contest.
South Africa will now meet Cape Verde in the last-eight on Saturday.
Pictured above: Evidence Makgopa scores as Morocco captain Romain Saiss and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou helplessly try to block him.
Image source: CAF
