By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign ended in heartbreak as they lost-2-1 to Cameroon in the last 16 in Rabat, Morocco on Sunday evening.
Junior Tchamadeu opened scoring for Cameroon in the 34th minute and Christian Kofane doubled their lead shortly after half-time. Evidence Makgopa pulled one back for South Africa, but it was too little, too late.
Bafana Bafana started on the front foot with two golden opportunities in the opening stages, both created by Oswin Appollis. The first came in the third minute, when Lyle Foster headed narrowly wide off an Appollis free-kick delivery on Bafana Bafana’s right. The opportunity from the set piece had come after a Nouhou Tolo foul on Teboho Mokoena.
Relebohile Mofokeng should’ve had a dream start on seven minutes following a clear chance outside the area after a defensive error, but he sent his effort over the crossbar.
Cameroon took control of the game thereafter with Bryan Mbeumo showing impressive industry as he continually switched flanks and probed at the opposing defence.
Hugo Broos waited until the 62nd minute to alter his starting line-up as Samukele Kabini and Appollis made way for Aubrey Modiba and Makgopa, who partnered Foster in the attack for the final 30 minutes of the second stanza.
South Africa continued to create chances as the game neared its conclusion, and after Khuliso Mudau failed to make meaningful contact with the ball as it fell to him in the area, they did force a grandstand finish as, with 88 minutes on the clock, Makgopa struck from close range.
But Bafana Bafana couldn’t find an equaliser in the five minutes of stoppage time, meaning it’s Cameroon who advance to the quarter-finals, having edged three of their four AFCON games by a single goal.
“Everyone is very disappointed and sad that we are eliminated today,” said Broos.
“We had three open chances in the first half an hour and normally the game has to be done then, but we paid the bill with a lucky goal (for Cameroon),” he added.
“Then unfortunately very soon in the second half they get a second goal and then you know it will be very difficult.”
Earlier on Sunday, Morocco booked their berth in the last eight with a 1-0 win over Tanzania, also in Rabat.
Elsewhere Tunisia head coach Sami Trabelsi has left his role, the country’s soccer federation announced on Sunday, after they were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the last 16.