Cameroon booked their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with a hard-fought 2-1 win over South Africa at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Sunday.
Junior Tchamadeu put the Indomitable Lions ahead in the 34th minute, and teenage striker Christian Kofane doubled the lead just after the break. Evidence Makgopa’s late goal for South Africa in the 88th minute proved only a consolation as Cameroon held on.
“With all the pressure on Morocco to win their first AFCON in 50 years, we can approach the game calmly,” a Cameroon source said ahead of Friday’s quarterfinal against the hosts.
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The win is a boost for Cameroon after a turbulent build-up to the tournament, which saw the federation replace coach Marc Brys with David Pagou. Pagou’s tactical approach proved decisive against Hugo Broos, the 2012 AFCON-winning coach leading South Africa.
South Africa started strongly but wasted early chances, including a miss by Relebohile Mofokeng and an offside call against Lyle Foster. Cameroon capitalized on a VAR-confirmed corner when Tchamadeu finished from close range, and Kofane’s header early in the second half put the match largely beyond doubt.
Earlier in Rabat, hosts Morocco overcame Tanzania 1-0 to reach the quarterfinals. Brahim Diaz scored the decisive goal after being set up by captain Achraf Hakimi in the 64th minute. Diaz reflected on the tight contest:
“The competition is hotting up, and we faced our toughest opponent in this Tanzania team. Not everything worked, but fortunately, we secured qualification. Now we focus on the quarterfinals,” he said.