Cameroon booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after edging past South Africa 2–1 in a tense Round of 16 encounter on Sunday at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.
The Indomitable Lions struck first in the 34th minute when Tchamadeu broke the deadlock, capitalising on Cameroon’s growing control of the contest.
That advantage was strengthened shortly after the restart as teenage Bayer Leverkusen forward Kofane rose highest to head home in the 47th minute, giving the five-time champions a commanding cushion.
South Africa refused to go down without a fight and mounted a late push for a comeback. Their persistence was rewarded when Evidence Makgopa pulled a goal back, setting up a nervy final spell.
However, Cameroon showed composure and experience to see out the match and secure their place in the last eight.
For Cameroon, progression to the quarter-finals already marks a significant achievement following a turbulent build-up to the tournament.
Football federation president and national icon Samuel Eto’o made the bold decision to dismiss coach Marc Brys before the competition, appointing David Pagou in his place.
That gamble has so far paid off, with Pagou outwitting South Africa’s Hugo Broos, who had vowed to show no mercy to the Indomitable Lions.
South Africa, third-place finishers at the last AFCON, will be left disappointed but can quickly shift focus to their World Cup ambitions, while Cameroon march on with belief and momentum.
The victory sets up a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown with host nation Morocco on Friday.
Cameroon will approach the tie with confidence and relatively little pressure, with much of the expectation resting on the Atlas Lions, who are chasing a first AFCON title in half a century on home soil.
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