South Africa vs Cameroon 1-2: AFCON 2025 – as it happened

Cameroon perseveres after a nervous ending against South Africa to win 2-1 in Rabat.

This victory pushes them into the quarterfinals, where the hosts, Morocco, wait to face them on Friday.

We hope you enjoyed today’s thrilling contest, and Rohan Sharma signing off, with Patrick Keddie.

One. On the pitch. In the stands. 🇨🇲❤️#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WeCelebrateDifferent pic.twitter.com/CjWG951yFi

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 4, 2026

The Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 fixtures roll on tomorrow, as Nigeria lock horns with Mozambique in Fez.

We have you covered with our extensive preview of the match, which you can access here.

The live coverage is set to kick off at 16:00 GMT, so make sure to tune in.

Junior Tchamadeu. Certified Indomitable Lion. 🇨🇲🦁#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WeCelebrateDifferent pic.twitter.com/bLn21ct74p

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 4, 2026

Round of 16 fixtures

January 5

Egypt vs Benin (Adrar Stadium, 5pm/16:00 GMT)

Nigeria vs Mozambique (Fez Stadium, 8pm/19:00 GMT)

January 6

Algeria vs DR Congo (Moulay Hassan Stadium, 5pm/16:00 GMT)

Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso (Marrakesh Stadium, 8pm/19:00 GMT)

The full match schedule, groups and format can be found here.

After hosts Morocco persevered with a narrow 1-0 result against Tanzania earlier today, they now face a stiff challenge against the Indomitable Lions.

The match is set to take place on January 9 in Rabat.

Quarter-finals | Spot 4. 🇨🇲

Cameroon advance to the next round of the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/sXRmc79TDi

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 4, 2026

After South Africa ran out of gas after the first 30 minutes of play, Cameroon began to grow in confidence.

Their play soon reflected this, after Tchamadeu converted in the 34th minute to put them into the lead against the run of play.

Cameroon then surprised once more, soon after the second half began, with Kofane scoring a fantastically timed header off a Nagidi cross.

Cameroon almost went three up, when Kofane failed to get a brace before South Africa answered back with a late 88th-minute goal by Makgopa to set up a nervy ending in Rabat.

Full-time: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon 

FULL-TIME! 🇿🇦🇨🇲

Cameroon claim a 2-1 win over South Africa in the Round of 16. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/ihveG3HAft

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 4, 2026

Cameroon flip the script in Rabat to advance into the quarterfinals.

Full-time: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon 

It is belted over from deep in the half, but the ball is knocked away for a South African throw-in close to the corner flag.

The ball is then deflected behind for a final chance for South Africa off the left corner.

The ball is whipped in, with Cameroon getting to it before it is sent downfield.

90+5 mins: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon 

He is limping on one leg as the referee has to halt play for him to get off the pitch.

Epassy doesn’t mind as he takes time with his goal kick. Just two minutes left now for Cameroon to survive.

90+3 mins: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon 

The fourth official signals for five more minutes of stoppage time.

South Africa almost equalise in the first minute, as a deep ball just evades a charging Epassy, with the ball continuing just past the left post and out for a goal kick.

Cameroon are living dangerously here in Rabat.

90+1 mins: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon 

With time running out, South Africa pull one back to add some much-needed intrigue.

It comes against the run of play, as Moremi combines with fellow substitute Makgopa. The former delivered a lovely cross in from the left flank, which Makgopa steers past a surprised Epassy.

Cameroon suddenly have to defend just a one-goal lead as we get closer to stoppage time. It is all nicely set up for an explosive finish.

88 mins: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon 

The midfielder is down again, with the ominous stretcher coming out once more.

After a slight delay, the referee feels it is not satisfactory, as he is cautioned for time wasting.

86 mins: South Africa 0-2 Cameroon 

It is delivered from the left side into the box by Mokoena.

But it is underhit, as Cameroon are soon able to dispatch the ball away from danger.

85 mins: South Africa 0-2 Cameroon 

South Africa are starting to show some frustration now. Foster, after being dispossessed of the ball, manhandles Malone to the ground.

You simply can’t do that, and especially in front of the referee, as the forward goes into the naughty book.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Tshepang Moremi comes on for Sibisi.

83 mins: South Africa 0-2 Cameroon 

Mbeumo delivers a delicious ball over the top to Kofane.

Despite having a marker on him, the forward tries to blast his way past Williams, but he is off the mark.

That was a fantastic opportunity to go up three goals and wrap this up once and for all.

81 mins: South Africa 0-2 Cameroon 

Nagida, who replaced Yongwa after just 20 minutes, is replaced by Christopher Wooh.

Olivier Kemen comes on for Loader.

80 mins: South Africa 0-2 Cameroon 

Off the ball, the midfielder goes down in a heap, causing South Africa to kick the ball out of play.

It looks rather serious, as a stretcher is motioned for by the referee. While medical staff tend to him on the pitch, the camera pans to Samuel Eto’o, the former Barcelona and Inter Milan poacher of Cameroonian descent.

The Cameroonian fans let off a cheer as he waves to the camera.

78 mins: South Africa 0-2 Cameroon 

Sipho Mbule is brought on for Mofokeng.

75 mins: South Africa 0-2 Cameroon 

It is floated in from the left side by Loader into the box.

The ball bobbles from one head to another before making its way outwards and away from danger.

73 mins: South Africa 0-2 Cameroon 

Cameroon set off on a rapid attack the other way, led by Mbeumo down the left side.

He weasels himself into the box, before slipping a pass for Avom to attack. The midfielder gets to it, but sends it straight at an advancing Williams, who is able to block the shot with his left leg.

71 mins: South Africa 0-2 Cameroon