Morocco progressed to the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages with a narrow win over Ivory Coast, while South Africa and Tunisia kept their hopes of advancing alive with a win over Namibia and a draw with Mali, respectively.
South Africa 1-0 Namibia
Bongani Zungu’s second-half header earned South Africa a 1-0 win over battling Namibia to boost their hopes of reaching the Afcon knockout stage.
Zungu converted from Percy Tau’s corner in the 68th minute as South Africa bounced back from their opening defeat by Ivory Coast.
Bafana Bafana boss Stuart Baxter had warned his side ahead of the match not to underestimate Namibia and they did indeed prove tough opposition, with goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua equal to Themba Zwane’s effort in the first half.
But Baxter’s men finally made the breakthrough from a set piece and closed out victory.
South Africa moved level with Ivory Coast on three points in Group D ahead of their third match against already qualified Morocco.
Namibia, despite two defeats from two, are not yet out of it, but need to beat Ivory Coast and hope South Africa lose to Morocco to stand any chance of progressing.
Morocco 1-0 Ivory Coast
Youssef En-Nesyri scored the only goal as Morocco beat Ivory Coast 1-0 to qualify for the knockout stages at the Africa Cup of Nations.
En-Nesyri scored after 23 minutes as Herve Renard’s side made it successive 1-0 victories in Group D, following their success against Namibia in the opening match.
Romain Saiss made a superb goalline clearance to deny Jonathan Kodjia in the opening minute before En-Nesyri brilliantly evaded a series of challenges and scored with a low finish.
Max Gradel and Nicolas Pepe worked the Morocco goalkeeper while Kodjia, who scored his side’s winning goal against South Africa, was off target this time.
En-Nesyri went close to a second goal with a header and Noussair Mazraoui also could have made it 2-0 late on, but his volley crashed against the crossbar from close range.
Morocco advance while Ivory Coast’s fate will be decided in their final group game against Namibia.
Tunisia 1-1 Mali
Tunisia came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Mali in the Afcon Group E.
Wahbi Khazri’s deflected free kick levelled the scores with 20 minutes left and moved Tunisia to second in the group, ensuring them a chance of qualifying for the latter stages of the tournament.
In a relatively even game with 32 fouls committed, Mali retained their position at the top of the group after two games played.
Tunisia started brightly, as St Etienne’s Khazri had a shot saved and another which hit the bar during the opening 10 minutes.
After a goalless first half, Mali led on the hour when Diadie Samassekou’s corner was fumbled into his own net by goalkeeper Mouez Hassen.
The advantage only lasted 10 minutes, however, before former Sunderland man Khazri sent a free kick into the bottom corner to level.
Mali had a late chance to wrap up the three points through Moussa Marega, but his right-footed effort in front of goal was saved by Hassen.
