AFCON 2023: South Africa Shocked 10-Man Morocco to Reach Quarter-Final

Achraf Hakimi missed a late chance to equalize from the penalty spot as South Africa shocked 10-man Morocco to set up a quarter-final against Cape Verde at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 1996 champions will now aim to improve upon their quarter-final exit on their most recent appearance at the finals in 2019 when they take on the unbeaten blue Sharks on Saturday for a place in the last four.

Also, Mali booked a quarter-final meeting with hosts Ivory Coast by holding on to beat Burkina Faso at the 2023 AFCON.

An own goal from Edmond Tapsoba gave Mali a third-minute lead.

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 Burkina Faso from the penalty spot just before the hour mark.

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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 for a place in the semi-finals.

Paris Saint-Germain star Hakimi then squandered an opportunity to tie up the game, sending his kick off the top of the bar and over before Morocco’s misery was compounded as Sofyan Amrabat was sent off in stoppage time and Mokoena scored South Africa’s second from the resulting free-kick.

Bafana Bafana goes through to a quarter-final on Saturday in Yamoussokro against tiny Cape Verde, who have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament so far.

But Morocco, World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, add to an ever-growing list of the continent’s biggest names to have been knocked out of this Cup of Nations, 24 hours after champions Senegal were eliminated on penalties by hosts Ivory Coast.

Africa’s top-ranked side were hoping to follow up their remarkable run to the last four in Qatar just over a year ago by winning their second AFCON title, 48 years after their first.