AFCON 2025: Cameroon Beat South Africa 2-1 to Set Up Morocco Quarter-Final Clash

Cameroon will face hosts Morocco in the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals after goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa, coached by former Cameroonian boss Hugo Broos.

After a bright start from South Africa, Cameroon took the lead in the 34th minute through a stroke of luck. A half-cleared shot from Carlos Baleba ricocheted off midfielder Nkosinathi Sibisi and defender Samuel Kotto before landing perfectly for Tchamadeu, who slotted home after a VAR check confirmed he was onside.

The Indomitable Lions doubled their lead two minutes into the second half, as Kofane glanced a near-post header from Mahamadou Nagida’s precise cross past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Cameroon keeper Devis Epassy made crucial saves to deny South Africa a response, while Kofane nearly added a second from a long ball by Bryan Mbeumo.

South Africa rallied late in normal time, with Evidence Makgopa finishing from close range in the 88th minute. Despite a frantic finale, Cameroon held on, sending thousands of fans home in celebration.

The victory sets up an exciting quarter-final in Rabat on Friday at 19:00 GMT, with Cameroon traveling to face hosts Morocco, who defeated Tanzania 1-0 earlier on Sunday.

The match carried emotional weight as Broos, who led Cameroon to AFCON glory in 2017, was greeted with boos on the stadium’s big screens, while Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o, now president of Fecafoot, received raucous cheers alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Coach David Pagou, with Eto’o’s backing, had assembled a youthful squad, leaving out veterans like Andre Onana and captain Vincent Aboubakar. The strategy has paid off, particularly in the performance of 19-year-old Kofane, who made his professional debut less than a year ago and has now scored twice in the tournament.

While Tchamadeu’s opener was fortuitous, the quality of Nagida’s delivery and Kofane’s header highlighted Cameroon’s attacking promise. South Africa dominated early but were wasteful inside the first 15 minutes, missing multiple clear chances, including a near-post header by Lyle Foster and a misfired attempt by Relebohile Mofokeng.

Despite a tense closing period, including a late Makgopa attempt in injury time, Cameroon held on for just their second-ever victory over South Africa. The young squad now faces the challenge of taking on Morocco on their home turf, with the quarter-final promising to be a thrilling contest.