AFCON 2023: SA Superstar Performs Cristiano’s Goal Celebration After Scoring Free Kick vs Morocco

• South Africa caused an upset by knocking Morocco out of the AFCON
• Bafana Bafana secured a 2-0 win against the Atlas Lions
• Teboho Mokoena led the team in performing Cristiano’s goal celebration

Cristiano Ronaldo's influence reigns supreme in world football.

Ronaldo’s massive impact on the game manifested itself once again on Tuesday, January 30, during the Africa Cup of Nations game between Morocco and South Africa; a contest which produced yet another upset.

Bafana Bafana emerged as 2-0 winners over the World Cup semi-finalists, who were reduced to 10 men after the dismissal of Sofyan Amrabat.

Second-half goals from Evidence Makgopa and their talisman Teboho Mokoena were enough to send South African fans into a frenzy as they set up a quarter-final clash against Cape Verde.

Mokoena does the CR7 celebration

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In a highly engaging game, Makgopa opened the scoring in the 57th minute with a neat finish as South Africa survived a lengthy VAR check to go 1-0 up.

Morocco had a golden chance to equalise after Mothobi Mvala was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, but PSG star Achraf Hakimi’s 85th-minute spot kick was blazed over the bar.

The best moment of the game was surely saved for last as Mokoena confirmed the upset with a brilliant free-kick late in the game.

As the players wheeled away in celebration, Mokoena went to one of the TV cameras and performed Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘sleeping’ celebration, with the rest of his teammates joining in.

Ronaldo first coined he celebration after he scored the winning goal for Manchester United against Everton on October 22, 2022, as cited on Transfermarkt.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner told Manchester United’s website that the goal celebration was a nod to the position he sleeps in when travelling on the team bus.

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When does SA face Cape Verde?

Bafana Bafana will now come up against Cape Verde on Saturday, February 3 in another quarter-final match-up that is very unpredictable.

Cape Verde have proven to be no pushovers in this year’s competition, as they beat Ghana, drew with Egypt and edged out Mauritania 1-0 in the last 16.

Morocco fans show Hakimi support

In other news, Sports Brief reported on how Morocco fans backed Achraf Hakimi after the PSG star missed the chance to equalise against South Africa from the penalty spot.

A video on social media showed fans chanting Hakimi’s name despite their nation bowing out of the competition.