AFCON 2023: South Africa rexord an emphatic victory as ten-man Zambia deny Tanzania maiden victory
South Africa have revived their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win over regional rivals Namibia in a Group E match played at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on Sunday night.
Percy Tau opened the scoring before Themba Zwane added two outstanding goals, as Bafana Bafana blitzed the wasteful Brave Warriors and effectively had the game wrapped up inside the first 40 minutes.
Thapelo Maseko added a fourth in the second half to round out a fine display from the 1996 continental champions.
Namibia had early attacking salvoes from Prins Tjiueza and Peter Shalulile – neither of which was capitalised on.
South Africa were then awarded a penalty – via a VAR review – for an inadvertent hand-ball from Namibia defender Riaan Hanamub.
Percy Tau, who missed a spot kick in the first match against Mali, secured redemption with a ruthless finish from the penalty to make it 1-0 in favour of Bafana Bafana in the 14th minute.
The Brave Warriors created fine chances to equalise, with Hanamub putting in a couple of great crosses from the left, but they again failed to convert and were punished by a second South African goal.
On 25 minutes Bafana opened space down the right for Thapelo Morena – he provided a low cutback to pick out the late run into the box of Themba Zwane, who swept home a superb first-time finish to make it 2-0.
Ten minutes later Sphephelo Sithole had an opportunity to put South Africa three goals up, as Teboho Mokoena’s corner kick evaded the goalkeeper’s grasp, but his downward header from close range bounced up and over the crossbar.
Yet Bafana Bafana only had to wait until the 40th minute to make it 3-0, with Zwane picking up a pass from Evidence Makgopa, powering down the left of the penalty area and providing another classy finish past Lloyd Kazapua.
Namibia made two changes at the start of the second half, introducing Ngero Katua and Bethuel Muzeu off the bench, but they were unable to gain a foothold in the match and South Africa ultimately added to their advantage in the 75th minute when substitute Thapelo Maseko ran onto Mokoena’s long ball and fired a drive through the grasp of the goalkeeper.
The teams will wrap up their Group E campaigns on Wednesday 24 January, with South Africa tackling Tunisia in Korhogo, at the same time that Namibia face Mali in San-Pedro.
A late Patson Daka header rescued a 1-1 draw for 10-man Zambia against Tanzania on Sunday to deny the Taifa Stars a first ever TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations win.
The Taifa Stars took a deserved first-half lead through Simon Msuva’s 11th-minute strike assisted by Mbwana Samatta.
But Zambia’s task grew harder when captain Roderick Kabwe received a second yellow card just before the break to leave them a man down.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Chipolopolo fought back valiantly in San-Pedro as Patson Daka went close after the restart.
And the Leicester striker finally made his mark by heading in the 88th-minute equaliser with an inch-perfect corner from Clatous Chama.
The late twist means Tanzania are still searching for an elusive first AFCON victory after eight attempts.
The draw leaves Tanzania bottom of Group F ahead of their final game with DR Congo while Zambia stay third.
Zambia likely require victory over Morocco on Tuesday to progress to the knockouts after this dramatic stalemate.
Achraf Hakimi’s early opener was cancelled out as DR Congo held highly-rated Morocco to a pulsating 1-1 draw.
The Atlas Lions took the lead inside just six minutes when Hakimi rifled home after being teed up by Hakim Ziyech.
But DR Congo were handed a route back into the Group F clash when VAR awarded a penalty after a Moroccan handball in the box on 42 minutes.
Cedric Bakambu stepped up but squandered the golden opportunity to equalise as Yassine Bounou dived in the right but the ball went wide even before the Moroccan goalkeeper could intervene.
However, the Leopards finally drew level with 15 minutes left when Silas Katompa Mvumpa converted Elia Meschack’s assist.
The sides could not be separated in an entertaining encounter as both retained hopes of reaching the knockouts.
The draw leaves Morocco top on four points, DR Congo second on two and all still to play for in Group F.
Morocco face Zambia next while DR Congo tackle Tanzania in their final pool matches on Wednesday.
After this compelling match between the group’s leading lights, both still have AFCON qualification in their own hands.
