Cameroon knock out South Africa to reach AFCON quarter-finals

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Cameroon booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 1XBET Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa in their Round of 16 encounter on Sunday night.

The Indomitable Lions struck first midway through the opening half when Junior Tchamadeu reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box, slotting home from close range in the 34th minute after sustained pressure.

South Africa responded with increased urgency but were repeatedly denied by disciplined Cameroonian defending and the alert goalkeeping of Devis Epassy.

Cameroon doubled their advantage early in the second half, with Christian Kofane bravely heading home a pinpoint cross just two minutes after the restart to give his side firm control of the contest.

The goal followed a VAR check and stood, despite brief protests from South African players.

Bafana Bafana rallied strongly in the closing stages and finally found a breakthrough in the 88th minute when substitute Evidence Makgopa turned in a low cross from Aubrey Modiba, setting up a tense finale.

South Africa pushed for an equaliser deep into stoppage time, with Makgopa squandering a gilt-edged header in the 90th minute, but Cameroon held firm to seal the win.

The match was played at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances and receiving several bookings in an intensely contested affair.

Despite South Africa’s late surge and improved second-half performance, Cameroon’s clinical finishing proved decisive.