South Africa Stuns Tournament Favorites Morocco as Hakimi Misses Penalty

On January 30, 2024, South Africa pulled off one of the surprises of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, defeating tournament favorites Morocco 2-0 to secure qualification for the quarter-finals.

In the 57th minute, Evidence Magkopa’s strike gave Bafana Bafana the lead at the San-Pedro stadium, surprising many. Morocco had a chance to equalize in the 85th minute from a penalty after the referee and VAR determined that Mvala used his hand to stop El Kaabi’s goal-bound shot. However, Hakimi’s penalty hit the crossbar, maintaining South Africa’s advantage.

With five minutes left in the match, Morocco went down to ten men as Amrabat received a straight red card for a foul on Mokoena. From the resulting free-kick, Mokoena doubled South Africa’s lead with a splendid strike that flew past Bono into the net.

Morocco, the first African side to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup last year, entered this tournament as big favorites. Topping their group with seven points, they faltered when it mattered most.

Without the injured Sofiane Boufal and Hakim Ziyech, coach Walid Regragui made changes to his starting lineup, but the Atlas Lions struggled to create much against South Africa.

Instead, it was Bafana Bafana who came close to scoring in the 16th minute when Bono dove low to push out Mokoena’s shot. Just before the hour mark, Zwane provided the assist for Magkopa’s goal, putting South Africa in the lead.

Morocco brought on striker El Kaabi to find the equalizer, and a shot by El Kaabi led to Mvala blocking it with his hand, creating a golden opportunity. However, Hakimi’s penalty hit the crossbar, much to the delight of South Africa’s supporters.

In stoppage time, Morocco went down to 10-men as Amrabat, the last man, brought down Mokoena. The referee initially showed him a second yellow card but later upgraded it to a straight red for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

From the resulting free-kick, Mokoena sealed South Africa’s progression to the quarter-finals as his shot curled past Bono into the net. South Africa will face Cape Verde in the quarter-final, while Morocco’s time in the tournament has come to an end.