There was another upset at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday after Achraf Hakimi missed a late penalty as Morocco became the latest big name to be knocked out with a 2-0 loss to South Africa in the round-of-16.
Evidence Makgopa’s strike in the 57th minute and a free-kick from Teboho Mokoena in the fifth minute of stoppage-time sent the Bafana Bafana through to the quarter-finals at Morocco’s expense.
“We’re very disappointed, because we came with the ambition of winning it. Going out so early in the tournament wasn’t expected, but this Cup is really difficult. Lots of surprises,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who returned after having his suspension lifted, but now faces an uncertain future. “I said that Morocco was due in the semi-final whatever happened, so we will have a good discussion. In any case, I never hide from taking responsibilities, mine at least. I failed. So there you have it.”
Photo: AFP
FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco were without wingers Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal, both injured in the win over Zambia, but defender Noussair Mazraoui made his first start after recovering from a thigh injury.
The Atlas Lions, who created more chances, were stunned when Themba Zwane sent Makgopa though to score.
They responded with increased pressure, but had to wait until the 82nd minute for a lifeline when Mothobi Mvala was penalized for blocking Ayoub el-Kaabi’s shot with his arm.
However, instead of tying the score at 1-1, Hakimi grazed the top of the crossbar with the spot-kick.
The Atlas Lions’ task was further complicated when midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was sent off in stoppage-time, and Mokoena sealed the win when he fired inside the top-left corner.
Morocco follow defending champions Senegal, seven-time champions Egypt, five-time winners Cameroon, four-time champions Ghana, along with former winners Algeria and Tunisia to be knocked out ahead of the quarter-finals.
South Africa next face Cape Verde on Saturday.
Earlier, Mali held on to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 to set up a quarter-final against hosts Ivory Coast.
Ademola Lookman on Thursday scored on his Atletico Madrid debut in a 5-0 rout of Real Betis Balompie that sent Diego Simeone’s team to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. David Hancko, Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann and Thiago Almada also scored for Atletico as they advanced to the last four for the third straight season. Atletico are trying to reach their first Copa final since winning the competition in 2012-2013. Hancko opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute and Giuliano Simeone added to the lead in the 30th, before Lookman got his first goal for Atletico on a fast
France head coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday lauded his team’s attacking performance after their dazzling 36-14 victory over Ireland in their Six Nations opener. A brace of tries from Louis Bielley-Biarrey and one from mercurial flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert helped France storm into a 29-0 lead before taking their foot off the gas and allowing Ireland back into the match, before winger Theo Attissogbe put some gloss on the victory late on. “In an attacking sense, with the ball, the team played with great accuracy,” Galthie said. “It was one of the most accurate attacking performances in a long time, despite the weather
SUPERSTAR DELIVERS: Victor Wembanyama scored 29 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to propel the Spurs to a 135-123 victory over the Dallas Mavericks The Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday shook off the early exit of injured star Luka Doncic, rallying without him in the second half for a 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Austin Reaves, again coming off the bench in his second game back from a 19-game injury absence, scored 13 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, drilling a pair of back-to-back three-pointers to give the Lakers their first lead of the game early in the final frame. “Losing Luka, you know nothing’s going to be easy after that because he does so much for us, but we bonded together,” said
Kawhi Leonard on Sunday scored 41 points, grabbed eight rebounds and made four steals to lead the Los Angeles Clippers in a lopsided 115-96 victory at Minnesota. The 34-year-old forward, a two-time NBA champion, matched the second-best road scoring effort of his career as the Clippers improved to 25-27. “Just being aggressive. My teammates trust me,” Leonard said. “Every moment when I touch the ball — assist, shooting the basketball or getting a rebound — I’m just trying to help the team win.” Leonard made three steals in a row at the start of the contest. “Just wanted to come out early in the
RSS