* For the first 30 minutes, South Africa set the tempo and were saved by goalkeeper Epassy and Bafana Bafana’s own imprecision
* To face hosts Morocco on Friday, who qualified with a narrow 1–0 victory over Tanzania through the decisive Brahim Diaz’s second-half strike
Maravi Express
Suffocated, shaken, sometimes on the edge, Cameroon nevertheless stood firm — and struck at the right moment. Long dominated by an enterprising Bafana Bafana, the Indomitable Lions relied on their efficiency and composure to claim a 2-1 win in Rabat and book their place in the quarter-finals.
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For the first 30 minutes, South Africa set the tempo — high pressing, vertical play, clear chances — but Cameroon bent but did not break, saved by goalkeeper Epassy and South Africa’s own imprecision.
Then, in a match waiting for a turning point, Tchamadeu appeared in the 33rd minute with clinical precision — one shot, one goal, and suddenly the game shifted.
Revitalised, the Cameroonians took control. Immediately after the break, Kofane struck in the 47th minute, doubling the lead with a composed diving header. The blow was harsh for Bafana Bafana, but typical of knockout football.
South Africa never gave up. Makgopa reignited hope in the 87th minute, and Rabat held its breath. Epassy was tested but held firm — and Cameroon survived; solid, organised, sometimes on the edge, the Lions resisted until the final whistle.
Dominated but qualified, challenged but lucid, Cameroon move forward to face hosts Morocco on Friday at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
Man of the Match was Carlos Baleba, who said after the match: “Yes, we are going to face Morocco, which is a strong side in African football. We are on a good run, and it’s up to us to keep a cool head and continue like this.
“Our mindset is very positive; we play for each other, and that is what makes our team strong,” he said while his coach David Pagou conceded that they had quite a hectic assignment against South Africa.
“We are striving to improve and collectively working together in progressing the team. We are keeping a positive state of mind and that is playing a key role in our team,” he said.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos said: “That’s the way life is — our team did not deserve to lose tonight;this is not the result we came for, but we have to acknowledge that it is what it is. We will now focus on preparing for our future objectives, with the World Cup in our sights.”
Meanwhile, Morocco booked their place in the quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Tanzania as Brahim Diaz’s second-half strike proved decisive — a breakthrough that came after a patient but testing evening for the hosts, who dominated possession but found clear chances hard to come by against a well-organised Tanzanian side determined to extend their historic run at the tournament.
Morocco, captained by Achraf Hakimi for the first time at this edition, controlled the opening exchanges but struggled to turn territorial dominance into goals. Tanzania sat deep, closed spaces efficiently and repeatedly denied the Atlas Lions room to operate in the final third.
The home side thought they had made the breakthrough midway through the first half when Ismail Saibari finished from close range in the 24th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR review for offside. It was a moment that underlined Morocco’s frustration as the first period ended goalless.
Walid Regragui’s side emerged with greater urgency after the restart. Brahim Diaz was immediately involved, forcing a corner with a glancing header, before Bilal El Khannouss fired narrowly over the crossbar in the 52nd minute as Morocco began to turn the screw.
Tanzania, however, almost stunned the hosts against the run of play. Feisal Toto found himself unmarked inside the box in the 56th minute but sent his effort high over the bar, squandering what would have been a remarkable opener.
Roared on by a capacity crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, Morocco finally found the decisive moment just past the hour mark. Diaz produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 63rd minute, cutting in and finishing from a tight angle to beat the goalkeeper and ignite celebrations in the stands.
The goal was Diaz’s fourth of the tournament, taking him clear at the top of the scoring charts and once again underlining his importance to Morocco’s title ambitions.
Despite continued pressure and several half-chances, the hosts were unable to add to their lead. Tanzania remained competitive until the final whistle, but could not find a way back as Morocco held firm to secure progression.
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Tanzania coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi said after the match that he very proud of what his team produced: “So proud of my players, both in their attitude and tactically. They showed that the gap between Morocco and us is not as big as people think. We will come back stronger, I am convinced of that.”
His counterpart, Walid Regragui said: “We knew it was not going to be easy, judging by the matches we saw yesterday, even if we thought it might be more straightforward. The first half was not good, but I recognised my team much more in the second half.
“The most important thing is qualification,” he said, while his player, Brahim Diaz — who was voted Man of the Match said: “The competition is growing in intensity and we have just faced our toughest opposition so far against this Tanzanian team.
“Not everything worked, we know that, but fortunately we managed to secure our qualification. Now we will go back to work to be fully ready for the quarter-finals.”—Reporting by CAFonline; edited by Maravi Express
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