AFCON 2023: South Africa Vs. Morocco preview

By Ngome Michael

The sun sets on 2023 AFCON knockout stage matches this Tuesday when former Champions, South Africa clashes with highly favorites and Africa’s number one, Morocco in San Pedro.

Both nations share a similar history in this competition having won it once each. Morocco and South Africa are no strangers to each other at the Cup of Nations as this will be their sixth meeting but, in only a second knockout game.

Victory sets a quarter final tie against Cape Verde. While the first round is known for sinking giants, The Atlast Lions are the only North African side left in the competition after Egypt bowed out to DR Congo with Algeria and Tunisia, victims of early exits.

Bafana Bafana are familiar foes for Morocco, having played them twice during the qualifying series for this tournament, with both teams picking up one win each.

South Africa may not be the strongest opposition for the North Africans in the tournament, they did really well to finish second in Group E, level on points (4points) with Namibia but with goal superiority.

The Rainbow Nation fell 2-0 to Mali in the opening game before responding quickly with a 4-0 win over Namibia and then, a goalless stalemate on final day against Tunisia.

Bafana Bafana have reached the quarter-finals in two of their last three AFCON appearances, and will be aiming to replicate that feat when they take on Morocco whom they have an edge over with three wins in the last eight, two defeats and three draws completing the others.

Walid Regragui will be back in the dugout after watching against Zambia in the stands while serving a ban impose by CAF following scenes at the end of Group stage match against DR Congo that has been lifted.

Morocco met expectations in their opening match, leaving group minnows Tanzania on a convincing 3-0 margin. However, their quest for a smooth run hit a cul-de-sac in their second outing, with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, before finishing off the group stage with a 1-0 win over Zambia.

The Atlast Lions might not have been spectacular in Group F, but going on to qualify as winners with seven points plus conceding just once places them on the right position to dispatch South Africa.

48-years since they won their last AFCON title, Morocco will fancy a quarter final spot more having done so twice in their previous three participation at the Cup of Nations.

Morocco form (all competitions):
W W W W D W.

South Africa form (all competitions):
W L D L W D.

Hugo Bross has his team set for this tie without any major injury concerns. Two cleansheet in their last performances suggests a chance to his team dominated local players might be a suprise.

Regulars, Themba Zwane, Percy Tau, Thapelo Morena and Evidence Makgopa will certainly have their places against Morocco.

No major concerns for Redragui as well with the lone absence this far, that of Noussair Mazraoui hasn’t left a vaccum in the Moroccan defence with Romain Saiss and Nayef Aguerd settling in pretty well.

It will however be great to see the Bayern Munich defender start against South Africa as Youssef En-Nesyri who missed the win over Zambia, is set to return to the starting XI and lead the line-up