As Bafana Bafana enter the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, there's excitement amongst many fans wondering how far South Africa will go in the tournament in Ivory Coast.
The goalless draw with Tunisia in their final group stage match on Wednesday steered the South Africans to the last 16 where they will face another North African giant in Morocco on Tuesday.
READ: Motaung Provides Important Update On Chiefs Coach
Moreover, qualification to the knockout stages has ensured a certain Teboho Mokoena keeps his personal record of seeing his national sides advance from the group stages of every continental competition.
The Mamelodi Sundowns star was in the under-20 team that reached the semi-finals of the Africa Youth Championship in 2016 and formed part of the under-23 Africa Cup of Nations side that reached the last four in 2019.
"These competitions are very tough, and I have a beautiful record – u20 we lost in the semi-finals and the u23 AFCON we lost in the semi-finals again, and now we are out of the group," Mokoena said according to SABC Sport.
"So, it's a good record for me also for my book so I'm impressed because I've been here before and nothing has changed. I think the level of football in Africa has grown," he added.
Mokoena, who has been pivotal to the team's quest in this year's AFCON, featured against the Tunisians on the day of his 27th birthday and credits everyone for the effort to see them through.
"I think everyone from the bench and those who started the game, we put in a shift and I think we deserve to be where we are now," continued the Downs midfield ace.
Bafana, who were in the same group as Morocco in the qualifiers, got the better of them in June last year at FNB Stadium with the winning strike coming from Zakhele Lepasa. Many critics believe that since Morocco had nothing to play for but pride in that game, they argue that South Africa's achievement was less impressive. Though, Bafana now have a chance to prove that by finishing ahead of the North African giants in their qualifying group and with their progress since then, they are truly a new force on the continent.
READ: Rautmann: Swallows' PSL Fine A Joke For Football
Open a tab account, it's easy and start betting on local and international soccer now!
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
