SOUTH AFRICA secured their first victory of the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tonight with a 4-0 win over their neighbours Namibia in Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire.
Bafana Bafana needed to win tonight to give themselves a chance after losing their opening Group E fixture 2-0 to Mali, and they earned the needed three points with some swagger.
Percy Tau netted the first goal from the penalty spot in the 14th minute as South Africa’s early dominance paid off, and they added two more before half-time.
Themba Zwane struck twice in the 25th and 40th minutes to give Bafana Bafana a commanding lead over the Brave Warriors, who had stunned Tunisia 1-0 in their opening match.
Thapelo Maseko rounded off the surprisingly comfortable victory for South Africa in the 75th minute, just five minutes after replacing brace hero Zwane.
With the result, South Africa moved up to second in Group E, one point behind leaders Mali and ahead of Namibia on goal difference.
Tunisia are bottom of the group with just one point from two games, and the group is still wide open going into the final round of fixtures when the Carthage Eagles battle South Africa and Namibia face Mali, both games kicking off simultaneously on Wednesday.
Earlier today in Group F, there were two 1-1 draws as the section also remains wide open.
Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco were held by Democratic Republic of Congo as Achraf Hakimi’s sixth-minute goal was cancelled out by Katompa Mvumpa 14 minutes from time.
Afterwards, 10-man Zambia, who had captain Rodrick Kabwe sent off just before half-time, fought back to share the points with Tanzania.
Simon Msuva gave Tanzania the lead in the 11th minute and it took the 10 men of Zambia until the 88th minute for Leicester City striker Patson Daka to head them level.
Morocco are on top of the group with four points, with DR Congo and Zambia on two each, and Tanzania bottom with one.
The group will be decided on Wednesday night when Zambia play Morocco and DR Congo go up against Tanzania.
