South Africa stunned Africa’s number one-ranked team Morocco 2-1 in an AFCON qualification group K match staged at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.Heading into the game, both teams had secured qualification for next year’s showpiece that will be played in Ivory Coast, and what remained and remains to be fought for is the top spot in the group.##NAJAVA_MECA_7324557##Five minutes in, Bafana Bafana went ahead through a Munir Mohamedi own goal after a bright start for the hosts. It was the only goal in a half where chances were few and far between, but the tempo of the game kept fans on their feet.Three minutes into the second half, South Africa retook the lead through Zakhele Lepasa, and at exactly the hour mark, Hakim Ziyech halved the deficit with a lovely, low, curled shot that beat South Africa’s defenders and keeper. The goal proved to be a consolation strike for the visitors.The win sees South Africa take control of the group with seven points, while Morocco, who have a game in hand against Liberia, are second with six points. Libera, at the bottom of the log, have a single point.In group J, Equatorial Guinea took charge of the group with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tunisia at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo. Emilio Nsue scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.The result sees Guinea go top with 12 points, while Tunisia are second with 10. Both teams have sealed qualification for next year’s AFCON. Equatorial Guinea will end the qualification with an away game against Libya, while Tunisia will host Tunisia.AFCON2023Q: Zambia thrash Ivory Coast to seal qualificationAFRICA CUP OF NATIONSQualifiers – Round 5SaturdayCentral Africa – Angola 1-2 (0-1)/Kondogbia 46 – Gaspar 12, Milson 86/Zambia – Ivory Coast 3-0 (1-0)/Aurier 31 og, Daka 28, Kangwa 31/Lesotho – Comoros 0-1 (0-0)/ M’Changama 90/South Africa 2-1 (1-0) Morocco / Munir Mohamedi 5 og, Zakhele Lepasa 48- Ziyech 60/Equatorial Guinea 1-0 (0-0) Tunisia /Nsue 85p/19:00: (2.45) Botswana (3.10) Libya (3.15)22:00: (5.70) Benin (3.50) Senegal (1.68)Sunday16:00: (2.40) Rwanda (3.10) Mozambique (3.20)16:00: (2.05) Tanzania (3.20) Niger (4.00)17:00: (7.50) Madagascar (3.50) Ghana (1.57)18:00: (4.20) Eswatini (3.20) Togo (2.00)18:00: (4.40) Uganda (3.35) Algeria (1.90)19:00: (7.25) Sierra Leone (4.40) Nigeria (1.45)19:00: (2.40) Cape Verde (3.10) Burkina Faso (3.20)19:00: (4.10) Congo (3.15) Mali (2.05)21:00: (2.30) Gabon (3.10) Dr Congo (3.40)***odds are subject to change***
