AFCON: Cameroon sends South Africa home to set up clash with Morocco

Cameroon overcame a slow start on Sunday evening to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 victory over South Africa in the Moroccan capital of Rabat.

Indomitable Lions defender Junior Tchamadeu benefited from a stroke of good fortune to open the scoring before rising star Christian Kofane put the 5-time AFCON champions beyond reach with an excellent header.

Bafana Bafana got off to an energetic start but had nothing to show for it. Lyle Foster headed over inside three minutes and Relebohile Mofokeng had a golden opportunity in the 7th minute. However, the Orlando Pirates playmaker failed to put his shot on target with only advancing Lions goalkeeper Devis Epassy to beat.

Cameroon gradually settled into the match and pounced on their first big chance in the 34th minute. Following a corner kick that Bafana Bafana failed to fully clear, a long range shot attempt ricocheted through a crowd of players and fell kindly for Tchamadeu. The Stoke City fullback made no mistake with a calm finish past South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

A frustrating evening continued for the 2023 AFCON third place finishers. Less than two minutes into the second half, Kofane leaped up to place his header perfectly after Mouhamadou Nagida found space on the left wing for an accurate cross to the edge of the 6-yard box.

South Africa increased the intensity with their attacking efforts but the two-goal deficit was too much to overcome. A late rally saw forward Evidence Makgopa pull a goal back from fellow substitute Aubrey Modiba’s cross but he could not direct his header on target a few minutes later when Epassy came far off his line and failed to claim a long ball into the penalty area.

Cameroon will now take on hosts and tournament favorites Morocco in an intriguing quarterfinal clash on Friday at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.