Bafana Bafana have beaten Morocco at FNB Stadium 2-1 on Saturday to climb to the top of Group K in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
Head coach Hugo Broos said in the pre-match press conference that they will look to make the nation proud with a postive performance against ‘the best team in Africa right now’.
And that’s exactly what the first half produced as Percy Tau forced an own goal from Spanish-born goalkeeper Munir as early as in the fifth minute.
It was howler as he left the ball from a cross slip from within his grasp but going into the break, not many would say South Africa didn’t deserve the lead.
In fact, Broos’ troops should have been two or three clear from the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists as Mihlali Mayambela and Zakhele Lepasa were guilty of spurning gilt-edge chances when facing Munir and the goal gaping.
They also managed to limit the vistors to very few clear-cut chances with captain Ronwen Williams keeping the defence well organised and dealing well with the crosses coming his way.
The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper also impressed with his short distribution, continuing his ball-playing ability that shone throughout the season with the DStv Premiership champions.
Bathusi Aubaas, who surprisingly was listed as an Orlando Pirates player in the team sheet also stood out alongside Teboho Mokoena in midfield. Him and Tau, who came to this game fresh from lifting his second CAF Champions League trophy, were the clear standout players as Bafana went into the dressing room likely to be brimming with confidence.
Bafana made it 2-0 just three minutes into the second half when Zakele Lepasa found himself free in the five-yard box after the initial shot by Mayambela bounced from Munir to him.
Lepasa had a chance to make it three after being played in by Tau in the 55th minutes, but his shot from a tight angle was parried by Munir.
Just three minutes later, Hakim Ziyech pulled on back for Morocco following fine individual work on the right flank before putting a well-placed shot past Williams.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui was visibly unhappy with his side and made all his five changes by the 70th minute, while Broos made his first sub in the 77th minute when Bongokuhle Hlongwane replaced Lepasa.
Teboho Mokoena should’ve made it 3-1 in the 82nd minute after winning the ball from a mistake in the Moroccan defence but he sent his ball over the bar.
In the end, Bafana celebrated an important win over Africa’s highest-ranked team, which also saw them climb to the top of the Group K log with seven games from four games, while Morocco sit in second with six points from three matches – but they still have their final game against Liberia to reclaim their lead.
