Cameroon advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Sunday against South Africa’s expense with goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane, who scored twice from half-time.
Two minutes after half-time, Kofane, a young Bayer Leverkusen forward, scored the crucial second goal at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.
READ MORE: Diaz Brings Morocco to the AFCON Quarter-Finals
Evidence Makgopa rallied late from South Africa, but Cameroon was the one who prevailed, and the five-time champions now face Morocco in the heavyweight quarter-final on Friday.
They can relax before the match, knowing that Morocco will be under no pressure to defend their title in front of their own home supporters.
After a chaotic start, when the football federation’s president and Indomitable Lions legend Samuel Eto’o fired coach Marc Brys, David Pagou was appointed as his replacement and Cameroon’s AFCON was already a success.
Hugo Broos, who had resigned as South Africa’s head coach nine years after leading them to their final continental crown at the Cup of Nations in Gabon, had a bad reputation with the new coach.
Bafana Bafana, who finished third at the previous AFCON in the Ivory Coast two years ago, will experience a lot of disappointment, but they can at least make up for it by focusing on the upcoming World Cup.
Relebohile Mofokeng wasted a valuable opportunity in the seventh minute when South Africa had the chance to take the lead early.
Mofokeng was put on goal by Cameroon defender Che Malone after a simple pass from the left, but the Orlando Pirates forward blazed over.
After the offside flag, Lyle Foster then had the ball in the net, but Cameroon won just before the half-hour mark.
The ball fell to Carlos Baleba on the edge of the area when the South African defense could only partially clear a corner.
The London-born full-back with Stoke City rolled home from close range after he tried a shot that was deflected into Tchamadeu’s path.
The Cameroonian fans made up the majority of the 14, 127 crowd, with Eto’o, a two-time AFCON champion as a player, among those present. That goal was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check.
South Africa had anticipated a strong second half start, but Cameroon did not. Within two minutes of the restart.
Mahamadou Nagida’s substitution crossed from the left, and Kofane scored the tournament’s second goal.
Before Makgopa turned in a low cross by fellow substitute Aubrey Modiba in the 88th minute, Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy made good saves from Samukele Kabini and a Teboho Mokoena free-kick.
That resulted in a grandstand finish, but Cameroon resisted.
Source: Channels TV
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