[WATCH] Zak attack: Lepasa fires Bafana Bafana to a morale-boosting win over Africa’s top ranked side Morocco in Afcon warning
|Published
Take off: Zakhele Lepasa in Clive Barker mode after goal
Bafana Bafana ace Zakhele Lepasa clinched a confidence-boosting win as they stunned World Cup semifinalists Morocco 2-1 at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Atlas Lions’ No.2 goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi handed the hosts a shock early lead with a howler after six minutes before Lepasa tucked a rebound three minutes into the second half and Hakim Ziyech pulled on back for Africa’s top-ranked team.
With both nations already qualified for Afcon 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire, the three points took SA to the top of Group K with seven points from their four games - one point ahead of the Moroccans, who play Liberia in September to close out the group.
Something to brighten up your Monday!
— GOAL South Africa (@GOALcomSA) June 19, 2023
Bafana Bafana 🆚 World Cup semi-finalists 🤩![CDATA[]]>🔥
📹: @CAF_Online pic.twitter.com/P25ZeKtw5W
Honger to produce a top performance in front of 55 000 fans in Jozi, Bafana kicked off with a point to prove.
And after new-crowned Caf Champions League winner Percy Tau stood up Noussair Mazrouai on the right wing, the Bafana ace shift onto his left foot and stood up an inswinger to the back post.
But Mohamedi misjudged the flight of the ball and fumbled it into his eie goal.
Bafana were buzzing and defended their lead well, with leftback Innocent Maela blocking the gevaarlike combination of Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi.
SA stretched their lead soon after the break when Mihali Mayambela was played in down the left channel, but Mohamedi’s block only fell to Lepasa, who tucked home from just outside the six-yard box.
The busy striker took off celebration in trademark Clive Barker fashion in tribute to the late hero Bafana coach.
Ziyech would show Maela that he couldn’t be denied with a beautiful curler beyond Ronwen Williams.
But Bafana continued to test their visitors and Teboho Mokoena should have made it 3-1 late on after robbing Jawad El Yamiq on the edge of the area, but he blazed over with just the keeper to beat.