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South Africa vs Cameroon live: Indomitable Lions book place in Afcon quarter-finals with slender win

South Africa 0-2 Cameroon: A goal from Christian Kofane gives the Indomitable Lions victory and sets up Afcon quarter-final against Morocco

(AFP via Getty Images)

Goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane took Cameroon past South Africa in their Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match to set up a quarter-final with hosts Morocco.

Bafana Bafana started the brighter of the two sides in Rabat, piling on plenty of pressure as Lyle Foster and Relebohile Mofokeng missed chances early on.

South Africa continued to dominate for much of the first half but it was Cameroon who got the lucky break, with Danny Namaso’s shot deflected into the path of Tchamadeu, who fired in the opener on 35 minutes.

It was not a lead the Indomitable Lions deserved at half-time but they quickly capitalised in the second half, starting quickly before Kofane glanced a brilliant header across goal and into the far corner in the 48th minute.

Cameroon looked comfortable for much of the rest of the match before a late goal from Evidence Makgopa gave South Africa a lifeline, though the five-time winners were able to close the game out late on to set up a fascinating quarter-final against hosts Morocco in Rabat.

Follow all the latest updates below:

Pinned

Cameroon set up blockbuster Afcon quarter-final with hosts Morocco after edging out South Africa

Cameroon set up a blockbuster Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against hosts Morocco after edging out South Africa 2-1 on Sunday.

Driven by heartache from failing to qualify for the World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the five-time winners proved too strong for Bafana Bafana at the Stade El Barida.

Goals from Junior Tchamadeu and teenage striker Christian Kofane ensured a significant victory The Indomitable Lions although they had to fight off a late comeback as South Africa pulled one back through substitute Evidence Makgopa with two minutes to play.

Cameroon set up blockbuster Afcon quarter-final with hosts Morocco

The Indomitable Lions squeezed past Bafana Bafana, with a gripping last eight match with Morocco on the cards, after the hosts downed Tanzania 1-0
Chris Wilson4 January 2026 21:35

Afcon 2025: How to watch every match for free on TV and online

The Africa Cup of Nations is hotting up with the knockout stages bringing drama and every game will be available to watch in the United Kingdom across Channel 4.

The broadcaster has secured exclusive rights to the 24-team tournament and will show every game on Channel 4, E4 or 4Seven, or online on Channel 4’s streaming service.

Hosts Morocco are also the tournament favourites, but the Africa Cup of Nations looks wide open with Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon all fancying their chances.

Here’s how you can take in every match of the knockout stages:

How to watch every Africa Cup of Nations match

Morocco host the tournament and are also the favourites, ahead of Senegal and defending champions Ivory Coast
Chris Wilson4 January 2026 22:00

FULL-TIME! South Africa 1-2 Cameroon

(AFP via Getty Images)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Chris Wilson4 January 2026 21:50

Afonc key dates

Here’s a reminder of the key dates fr the remaining rounds of Afcon:

Quarter-finals

Friday, January 9, 2026

Round of 16 2 Winner v Round of 16 1 Winner | 4:00 PM | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tangier, Morocco

Round of 16 4 Winner v Round of 16 3 Winner | 7:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Round of 16 7 Winner v Round of 16 6 Winner | 4:00 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco

Round of 16 5 Winner v Round of 16 8 Winner | 7:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco

Semi-finals

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Quarter-final 1 Winner v Quarter-final 4 Winner | 5:00 PM | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tangier, Morocco

Quarter-final 3 Winner v Quarter-final 2 Winner | 8:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco

Third-place play-off

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Semi-final 1 Loser v Semi-final 2 Loser | 4:00 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco

Final

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Semi-final 1 Winner v Semi-final 2 Winner | 7:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco

Chris Wilson4 January 2026 21:40

Afcon round of 16 results

And here are the full results from the first four last-16 ties:

Morocco 1-0 Tunisia

Mali 1-1 Tunisia (3-2 pens)

Senegal 3-1 Sudan

South Africa 1-2 Cameroon

Chris Wilson4 January 2026 21:30

Afcon round of 16 fixtures

Here are the remaining fixtures in the last 16 at Afcon:

Monday, January 5, 2026

Egypt v Benin | 4:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco

Nigeria v Mozambique | 7:00 PM | Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès, Morocco

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Algeria v DR Congo | 4:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, Rabat, Morocco

Ivory Coast v Burkino Faso | 7:00 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco

Chris Wilson4 January 2026 21:20

FULL-TIME! South Africa 1-2 Cameroon

(AFP via Getty Images)
(AP)
(AP)
Chris Wilson4 January 2026 21:10

FULL-TIME! South Africa 1-2 Cameroon

That result means Cameroon set up a quarter-final tie against hosts Morocco!

That match will take place on Friday, 9 January in Rabat, with kick-off at 7pm GMT.

Chris Wilson4 January 2026 21:05

FULL-TIME! South Africa 1-2 Cameroon

The referee blows the final whistle and Cameroon book their place in the quarter-finals!

Chris Wilson4 January 2026 20:57

South Africa 1-2 Cameroon

90 +5 mins

The set-piece is cleared by Cameroon and that could be that...

Chris Wilson4 January 2026 20:54

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