AFCON round up: Cameroon and Morocco set for quarter-final showdown

Elsewhere Mali advance to the quarters having not yet won a game at the tournament. They will face West African rivals Senegal on Friday.

INTO THE QUARTERS: CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino wave from the tribune during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match between South Africa and Cameroon in Rabat, Morocco. Pic: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe.

Cameroon scored a goal in either half to see off South Africa 2-1 in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Sunday and set up a quarter-final clash with Morocco.

Goals from Junior Tchamadeu and teenage striker Christian Kofane ensured a significant victory for 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.

"Yes, we are going to face Morocco, which is a major force in African football," said Cameroon midfielder Baleba.

"We are on a good run, it's up to us to keep our heads cool and continue like this. Our mindset is very positive, we play for each other and that's what makes our team strong."

Earlier in the day Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz scored his fourth goal for Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations to put the hosts into the quartes with a nervous 1-0 victory over Tanzania in Rabat.

Morocco dominated possession but Tanzania had opportunities too, and it took a fine strike from Diaz to book a place in the last eight and a meeting with the winners of Sunday’s second fixture between South Africa and Cameroon.

Captain Achraf Hakimi fed Diaz on the right side of the box on 64 minutes and the Real Madrid playmaker worked his way to the byline, before firing into the goal from a tight angle when most expected a cross.

Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved twice in the shootout to help 10-man Mali to a 3-2 win via penalties after a 1-1 last-16 draw with Tunisia in Casablanca - thy will face Senegal in the quarter-final.

Tunisia striker Firas Chaouat gave his side the lead in the 88th minute as he lost his marker to guide a deep cross from Elias Saad into the net.

However, Mali were awarded a penalty in stoppage time when substitute defender Yassine Meriah inexplicably used his arm to deflect the ball from a free-kick, and Lassine Sinayoko netted in the 97th minute to send the game to extra time.

Mali advance to the quarter-finals having not yet won a game at the tournament.

They will face West African rivals Senegal in Tangier on Friday, after the latter earlier defeated Sudan 3-1 to advance to the last eight. Pape Gueye scored two goals as Senegal came from behind, ending their opponents' stirring run played out against the backdrop of the country's ongoing civil war.