File photo of the South African men's team, Bafana Bafana
South Africa stunned 10-man Morocco with a standout performance to win 2-0 and kick out the North African giants from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Evidence Makgopa's precision in the 57th minute, though subject to a VAR review, marked the opening goal and set the stage for an unexpected triumph over the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists.
The match took a dramatic turn when Achraf Hakimi had a golden opportunity to equalize, awarded a penalty after Mothobi Mvala was deemed to have handled Ayoub El Kaabi's shot.
However, the excitement turned to disappointment as Hakimi's 85th-minute spot-kick struck the crossbar, leaving Morocco trailing.
The late-game drama continued as Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat received a red card in stoppage time.
Seizing the moment, Teboho Mokoena beautifully curled a free-kick past Bono, confirming South Africa's upset in style.
Having secured this surprising victory, the 1996 champions now set their sights on the quarter-final clash with Cape Verde.
South Africa aims to surpass their quarter-final exit in 2019 and secure a coveted spot in the semi-finals.
The encounter with the unbeaten Blue Sharks promises to be a pivotal moment in their quest for glory at the tournament.
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