Cameroon weathered sustained pressure before striking decisively to edge South Africa 2–1 and book a place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, setting up a mouthwatering clash with hosts Morocco in Rabat.
Battered for long spells in the opening half, the Indomitable Lions bent but did not break against a vibrant Bafana Bafana side that dominated possession and created the clearer early chances. South Africa’s high press and vertical play unsettled Cameroon, but goalkeeper Devis Epassy and a lack of cutting edge from Hugo Broos’ men kept the scores level.
The turning point arrived midway through the first half. Against the run of play, Jean Tchamadeu struck in the 34th minute, converting Cameroon’s first real opportunity to stun South Africa and flip the momentum of the Round of 16 encounter.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, Cameroon emerged sharper after the restart and doubled their advantage moments later. Christian Kofane made it 2–0 with a composed diving header in the 47th minute, delivering a ruthless lesson in knockout efficiency.
South Africa refused to fold and pushed relentlessly in search of a way back. Their persistence was finally rewarded late on when Evidence Makgopa pulled one back in the 87th minute, setting up a tense finale in Rabat.
Cameroon were forced into deep defence, but they held firm under pressure to see out the result and secure qualification.
Dominated for long periods but clinical when it mattered, Cameroon progressed with a performance that underlined their tournament pedigree.
Carlos Baleba, named TotalEnergies Man of the Match, said the focus had already shifted to the next challenge. “We are going to face Morocco, which is a strong side in African football. Our mindset is very positive; we play for each other, and that is what makes our team strong,” he said.
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos was left frustrated by the outcome. “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,” he said, adding that attention would now turn to future objectives, including World Cup qualification.
Cameroon coach David Pagou praised his side’s resilience. “We have had quite a hectic assignment which we have successfully completed. We are striving to improve and collectively working together in progressing the team,” he noted.
Earlier on Sunday, Morocco confirmed their place in the quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Tanzania, also in Rabat, thanks to a second-half strike from Brahim Diaz.
The hosts dominated possession but found chances hard to come by against a disciplined Tanzanian side that defended deep and closed spaces effectively. Morocco had a first-half goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review, compounding their frustration before the break.
Walid Regragui’s side returned with greater urgency after halftime and finally broke through in the 63rd minute. Diaz produced a moment of individual brilliance, cutting inside and finishing from a tight angle to score his fourth goal of the tournament and move clear at the top of the scoring charts.
Tanzania remained competitive until the final whistle and even threatened an upset when Feisal Toto fired over from close range, but Morocco held on to seal progression.
Diaz, also named TotalEnergies Man of the Match, acknowledged the challenge. “Not everything worked, but fortunately we managed to secure our qualification. Now we will go back to work to be fully ready for the quarter-finals,” he said.
Regragui admitted his side had to work hard for the win, adding that midfielder Azzedine Ounahi had been ruled out of the tournament through injury.
