Cameroon secured a 2–1 victory against South Africa to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), on Sunday at the Al-Medina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
South Africa dominated the opening half-hour, pressing high and creating several chances, but goalkeeper Devis Epassy produced a series of saves to keep Cameroon level.
Against the run of play, Cameroon took the lead in the 34th minute when James Tchamadeu finished clinically, swinging momentum in favour of the Indomitable Lions.
The five-time champions were stopping there and looked to extend its lead in the second half.
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Cameroon struck again shortly after the restart, with Christian Kofane rising highest to head home in the 47th minute, leaving South Africa with a steep task.
Bafana Bafana mounted a late comeback as Evidence Makgopa pulled one back in the 87th minute, but Cameroon held firm in the closing stages to seal the win.
Cameroon will now face tournament hosts Morocco in the quarter-finals on Friday at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
“That’s the way life is,” South Africa Head Coach Hugo Broos said. “Our team did not deserve to lose tonight; this is not the result we came for.”
“But we have to acknowledge that it is what it is. We will now focus on preparing for our future objectives, with the World Cup in our sights.”
Morocco also secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Tanzania in Rabat to advance to the quarter-finals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.