Cameroon kept their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on track with a hard-fought 2-1 win over South Africa, ending a long run without a victory against Bafana Bafana and securing a place in the last eight.
South Africa began the contest with confidence, pressing high and unsettling the Cameroonian back line early on. Relebohile Mofokeng was presented with a clear opening after a defensive lapse, but he failed to hit the target when clean through. Moments later, Lyle Foster found the net from a tight angle, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
The Indomitable Lions found it difficult to control the game in the opening half, yet they made their chances count. In the 34th minute, South Africa were unable to deal with a corner, and Junior Tchamadeu reacted fastest to a loose ball, curling a low finish into the net to put Cameroon ahead.
That goal lifted Cameroon, who returned from the break with renewed purpose. Just two minutes into the second half, Aboubakar Nagida sent in a precise delivery from the left, and Christian Kofane guided a well-placed header past the goalkeeper to double the advantage.
South Africa responded by committing more players forward and enjoyed long spells of pressure, but Devis Epassy stood firm in goal. The Cameroonian keeper produced crucial saves, including a close-range stop from Samukele Kabini and a superb fingertip save to keep out Teboho Mokoena’s free kick.
Bafana Bafana eventually reduced the deficit late in the game when Evidence Makgopa poked home from close range in the 88th minute, raising hopes of a comeback. Cameroon, however, remained composed and saw out the final minutes, including added time, to clinch a narrow but important victory and move into the quarter-finals.
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