AFCON 2023 Day 9 Review: Bafana Bafana back to winning ways after statement win over Brave Warriors

(Made In Africa Sport) – The Bafana Bafana ended matchday 2 of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 on Sunday, 21 January 2024 in high spirits as they raked three points and an impressive goal difference against neighbouring Namibia. The match ended 4 – 0 in favour of the South Africans, giving them a boost as the knockout stages draw near.

Al Ahly forward Percy Tau found the net from the spot for an opener, making up for his penalty miss against Mali on Wednesday. VAR picked a handball in the box and the skipper made no mistake from the spot to put South Africa ahead in the 14th minute. Thapelo Morena was a constant menace on the right flank against the Brave Warriors, and after winning the penalty, he pulled back a low cross for Themba Zwane to attack and score in the 25th minute.

Zwane was the beneficiary of some terrible defending in the 40th minute, after his strike partner Evidence Makgopa intercepted a pass and set Zwane up for his second and South Africa’s third. Bethuel Muzeu looked to play Deon Hotto in for a tap in early in the second period, but some lack of communication saw the trickle out for a goal kick. The South Africans removed any hopes of a comeback in the 75th minute, as substitute Thapelo Maseko cooly finished Teboho Mokoena’s lofted pass to make it four for the Bafana Bafana.

Here’s how Group E looks like after matchday 2️⃣👀#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/hQ1lvk3byD

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 21, 2024

The Group F fixtures ended in 1 – 1 draws, as Morocco couldn’t defeat the Leopards despite Cedric Bakambu’s penalty miss in the first half. Achraf Hakimi put the Atlas Lions ahead in the sixth minute, volleying in from Hakim Ziyech’s cross, moments after the right-back had set up Youssef En-Nesyri for a header.

Bakambu’s miss was the closest DR Congo got to a goal in the first half, as the striker’s shot went out off the left-hand post. The Leopards surged back to life in the second period, however, threatening on the break as they went close again from a corner. Hakimi played in another dangerous low cross for En-Nesyri in the 51st minute, and Sofiae Boufal looked to profit from it but the winger fluffed his finish, as the ball was nowhere near goal. The Leopards got their reward in the 75th minute, as Mechak Elia cushioned a cutback on the right flank for fellow substitute Katompa Mvumpa to net from 12 yards out. 

They were relentless in their searches for a winner, as only a last-gasp clearance from Hakimi and a super save from Yassine Bono kept the Leopards from running away with all three points at the Laurent Pokou stadium. Rodrick Kabwe almost cost Zambia with his first-half red card, as the Chipolopolo fought hard for a draw against Tanzania on Sunday.

Simon Msuva gave the Taifa Stars an early lead, lashing in a brilliant strike from Ally Samatta’s lay-off in the 11th minute. The Chipolopolo had a few good chances before half-time, as Patson Daka missed out on two chances to level matters, first directing his header wide in the 20th minute before missing Fashion Sakala’s cross ten minutes after.

Rodrick Kabwe saw red after clashing clumsily with Samatta in the 33rd minute, and the Taifa Stars looked to capitalise on that for a second goal, but it was not to come. Denis Kibu skied a first-time volley and Frankie Musonda nearly diverted a Mohammed Husseini cross past his goalie, but the Chipolopolo managed to stay afloat. Their equaliser came at the death, with Patson Daka heading home a Clatous Chama-Chota corner to salvage a point for Zambia.

A look at Group F standings after the end of Matchday 2️⃣.#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/ahCv67A08d

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 21, 2024

Now we are on to the last group stage matchday, where the knockouts will be decided. Some teams have a slot in the round of 16 already, but it’s safe to say that subsequent matches will come with palpable tension. Today, we have the final games in Groups A and B, as the Super Eagles take on Guinea-Bissau, who are yet to secure a point in the AFCON 2023, while hosts Cote d’Ivoire slug it out against Equatorial Guinea. 

The Pharaohs are without Mo Salah against Cape Verde, who already have a place in the knockouts, and we have the Mambas up against the Black Stars in what will be an exciting evening across Abidjan.

4 Intense matches ahead! 🔥

Who’ll book their round of 16 spot in matchday 3️⃣? ✈️#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/rP6Wv1Dzaf

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 22, 2024