RABAT, Morocco (AP) \u2014 Brahim D\u00edaz kept Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations title hopes on track while five-time winner Cameroon beat South Africa 2-1 for a showdown with the host nation in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
D\u00edaz sent Morocco through with a 1-0 win over Tanzania on Sunday before Cameroon held on to beat South Africa for the first time since 1992 thanks to goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane. They meet in the next round on Friday.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe Morocco game is far away for us,\u201d Cameroon coach David Pagou said. \u201cWe suffered today, even if we won.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indomitable Lions progress<\/p>\n
South Africa was left to rue a host of missed chances early on when Cameroon\u2019s defenders looked as though they were playing together for the first time.<\/p>\n
The Bafana Bafana had two extra days to prepare for their last 16 game, while Cameroon\u2019s last group game was Wednesday.<\/p>\n
An injury to Cameroon\u2019s Darlin Yongwa allowed both teams to re-adjust before play resumed.<\/p>\n
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Cameroon improved, supported by most fans in the cozy 18,000-capacity Stade Al Barid.<\/p>\n
There was a huge roar when TV cameras picked up Samuel Eto\u2019o, the former Cameroon forward who\u2019s now president of the country\u2019s soccer federation, while boos rang out whenever South Africa coach Hugo Broos was shown on the big screen, apparently for his comments about the lack of an \u201cAFCON vibe\u201d<\/a> in Morocco.<\/p>\n Tchamadeu got the opener when he side-footed the ball inside the far post in the 34th after he was left free when South African defenders failed to clear Cameroon\u2019s first corner.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Indomitable Lions emerged with more bite after the break, with Aboubakar Nagida crossing for Kofane to head the second goal in the 47th.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think Cameroon were really dangerous in the first half and we wanted to continue like this in the second half. But after the second goal it was very difficult,\u201d Broos said. \u201cCameroon stayed very well as a block.\u201d<\/p>\n Cameroon goalkeeper D\u00e9vis Epassy saved from Samukelo Kabini, who\u2019d missed one of the early chances, then dived to keep out Teboho Mokoena’s free kick.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Evidence Makgopa’s 88th-minute strike was too late for the Bafana Bafana.<\/p>\n D\u00edaz to Morocco’s rescue<\/p>\n D\u00edaz, who has quickly emerged as Morocco’s star player, broke the deadlock against Tanzania in the 64th minute. He beat Hussein Masalanga at his near post when the Taifa Stars’ goalkeeper probably expected a cross.<\/p>\n It was D\u00edaz’s fourth goal in four games and it set off celebrations of relief around Rabat\u2019s near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the home team will play all its games as long as it keeps winning through to the final on Jan. 18.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Atlas Lions had dominated possession but were largely frustrated by Tanzania\u2019s disciplined and committed defense.<\/p>\n Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi made his first start of the tournament after recovering from an ankle injury and played the whole game.<\/p>\n Senegal and Mali booked their places in the quarterfinals<\/a> on Saturday.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n