Cameroon will face hosts Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane gave them a 2-1 win over a South Africa side led by their former coach Hugo Broos.
After a bright start from the South Africans, it was a stroke of luck which helped set up Stoke City right-back Tchamadeu for the opening goal in the 34th minute.
When a corner was half-cleared, Carlos Baleba’s shot played pinball inside the penalty area, first striking Bafana Bafana midfielder Nkosinathi Sibisi and then also Indomitable Lions defender Samuel Kotto before dropping kindly for Tchamadeu to tuck home from close range, with the goal confirmed following a long video assistant referee (VAR) check for offside.
With the rain pouring down, striker Kofane glanced a perfect near-post header across goalkeeper Ronwen Williams just two minutes into the second half – following an inviting left-wing cross from Mahamadou Nagida.
Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy was forced into two good saves as South Africa finally rallied, while Kofane could have grabbed his second after a raking long ball over the top from Bryan Mbeumo.
Bafana set up a frantic finale when Evidence Makgopa tucked home from three yards out with two minutes of normal time to go, but the Central Africans held on to send their thousands of fans home in delight.
The hosts, who beat Tanzania 1-0 earlier on Sunday, now await the Indomitable Lions in what looks like a mouth-watering tie back in Rabat on Friday (19:00 GMT).
COURTESY: BBC
