South Africa created a sensation by dismissing Morocco

The last round of 16 of this CAN 2023 is this Tuesday evening with South Africa vs Morocco. With the elimination of Egypt and Senegal, the Atlas Lions had a chance to move closer to their goal. But for this meeting, Walid Regragu had to make do with two major absences. In addition to Hakim Ziyech being injured against Zambia, the Moroccan coach had to deal without Sofiane Boufal until the end of the competition after a muscle injury. As a result, it was Amin Adli and Abde Eze who were called upon to replace him on the Moroccan attacking wings. For their part, Bafana Bafana presented themselves with their traditional eleven from the start of the CAN.

The match started very timidly with the two teams looking at each other and not showing much aggression. Achraf Hakimi scored the first shot of the match (fourth) but it was not enough to worry the South African defense at the spot. Even Amin Adli was unsuccessful on the few occasions he managed. Mokoena, on the other hand, forced Baunou to show off. Biju nothing. Both teams returned to the locker room with a very logical 0-0 as the level displayed was not enough to excite the large number of supporters at the Laurent Pokou Stadium.

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Morocco: Strong words from Walid Regragui

Achraf Hakimi missed a crucial penalty

After returning from the locker room, the match opened up completely. Morocco had the first chance through Azzedine Onahi. In the process, it was Abde Eze who went into the number alone and thought he would get a penalty. But the referee decided otherwise. And the more time passed, the more we felt a scenario emerging. The South African team created a sensation. And that’s what happened with the opening score for Hugo Bruce’s Man by Evidence McGopa. He punished a Moroccan defense that was too slow to play offside (1-0, 57th).

A real roar for Morocco, after a very disappointing performance at the end and logically punished in this early sequence of the CAN. So Walid Regragu decided to shake things up by releasing the ghostly Selim Amallah. He was replaced by Saibari while Amin Harith replaced Amin Adli. After several Moroccan attacks, the match could have changed when the Atlas Lions were awarded a penalty at the end of the match. But Achraf Hakimi hit the crossbar (86th) and missed. A scenario that strangely resembles the 2019 fiasco against Benin. To make matters worse, Sofyan Amarbat was sent off for a foul as the last defender. On the ensuing free kick, Mokoena sealed victory for his team (2-0, 90th + 4). Morocco, the big favourites, have been eliminated in the round of 16. South Africa sprung a surprise and will face Cape Verde in the next round.