Bafana Bafana’s AFCON dream ends in Rabat

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Goals either side of half-time by Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane took Cameroon through to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals at South Africa’s expense on Sunday as the Indomitable Lions edged their last-16 clash 2-1.

Tchamadeu opened the scoring in the 34th minute at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat and teenage Bayer Leverkusen forward Kofane headed in the crucial second goal two minutes after half-time.

A late rally from South Africa saw Evidence Makgopa pull one back, but it is Cameroon who go through, and the five-time champions now play hosts Morocco in a heavyweight quarter-final on Friday.

They can go into that match in relaxed mood, knowing all the pressure is on Morocco as they look to win a first AFCON title in 50 years in front of their home support.

“I want to savour this victory first of all. The game against Morocco is still a long way away,” said Cameroon coach David Pagou.

“The lads are celebrating just now. We suffered today even though we won, and I think we all need a rest.”

For Cameroon, reaching the last eight means their AFCON is already a success after a chaotic build-up in which football federation president and Indomitable Lions legend Samuel Eto’o sacked coach Marc Brys, replacing him with Pagou.

The new coach got the better of South Africa’s Hugo Broos, who had promised to show no mercy to Cameroon nine years after leading them to their last continental crown at the Cup of Nations in Gabon.

There will be major disappointment for Bafana Bafana, who finished third at the last AFCON two years ago, but they can console themselves by turning their attentions towards the upcoming World Cup.

“Everyone is very disappointed and sad that we are eliminated today,” said Broos.

“We had three open chances in the first half an hour and normally the game has to be done then, but we paid the bill with a lucky goal (for Cameroon),” he added.

“Then unfortunately very soon in the second half they get a second goal and then you know it will be very difficult.”

Relebohile Mofokeng squandered a golden opportunity fpr South Africa inside seven minutes, blazing over after finding himself in on goal when Cameroon defender Che Malone failed to deal with a simple ball forward.

Lyle Foster then had the ball in the net only to be denied by the offside flag, and instead Cameroon went in front just after the half-hour mark.

When the South African defence could only partially clear a corner, the ball fell to Carlos Baleba on the edge of the area.

He took a touch and tried a shot which was deflected into the path of Tchamadeu and the London-born full-back with Stoke City rolled home from close range.

That goal — confirmed after a long VAR check — was celebrated by the Cameroonian fans who made up the majority of the 14,127 crowd, with two-time AFCON winner as a player Eto’o among those in attendance.

South Africa would have been hoping for a strong start to the second half but instead Cameroon scored again within two minutes of the restart.

Substitute Mahamadou Nagida crossed from the left and Kofane headed in his second goal of the tournament so far.

Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy then made good saves from Samukele Kabini and from a Teboho Mokoena free-kick before Makgopa turned in a low cross by fellow substitute Aubrey Modiba on 88 minutes.

That set up a grandstand finish, but Cameroon nervously held on.

–AFP

Photo: Zamani Makautsi/Gallo Images

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Lukhanyo Gqokoma