Bafana Bafana opened their 2023 African Cup of Nations campaign off with a 2-1 defeat to Morocco at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat on Thursday evening.

South Africa got off to the perfect start and took the lead as early as the eighth minute when found the back of the net with a low finish to make it 1-0.

Morocco should have levelled matters in the 15th minute but Bafana keeper Ronwen Williams did well to deny Youssef En-Nesyri’s strike at goal.

Williams was called into action again 10 minute before the half time break when he made two saved to first deny Illias Chair before keeping out Achraf Hakimi’s strike moments later as the game went into the break 1-0 in favour of Bafana.

The Atlas Lions showed their intent early in the second half and managed level matters in the 51s minute when En-Nesyri beat Williams to find the back of the net wihh a close-range finish

Hugo Broos opted to make a double substitution in the 61st minute as Yusuf Maart and Phathutshedzo Nange came on to replace Foster and Lorch.

Morocco continued to dominate proceedings after 75 minute as Bafana sat back and soaked up the pressure.

The Atlas Lions eventually took the lead in the 85th minute when El Kaabi slotted the ball home with a superb first time volley at the near post.

However, Morocco held on to until the final whistle to walk away with all three points in their Group K opener at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.