South Africa vs Cameroon LIVE!
Cameroon beat South Africa 2-1 to move into the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat. Goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane were enough to see them into the quarter-finals, although they were given a late scare when Evidence Makgopa stepped off the bench to give Bafana Bafana some hope.
The spotlight was on South Africa boss Hugo Broos, with the Belgian taking on his former employers, and there was a ferocity about the game, which was played at a high tempo with big challenges flying in. The deadlock was broken just after the half-hour, when Tchamadeu swept home from a corner that South Africa failed to clear, and they were two up two minutes into the second period when Kofane leapt above the rest to nod home from a superb Aboubakar Nagida cross.
Makgopa made a game of it in the dying embers, but it was too little, too late for South Africa, who are out at the last 16 stage for the second time after crashing out to Nigeria in the previous edition of this competition.
South Africa vs Cameroon latest news
- GOAL! Makgopa sets up grandstand finish
- CLOSE! Kofane spurns chance
- GOAL! Kofane doubles lead
- CLOSE! Namaso sends dipping half-volley over
- GOAL! Tchamadeu opens scoring
FT: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon
20:54 , Oli GentThat's it, and the Indomitable Lions are through to the last eight.
An impressive performance from them in the end, but perhaps a missed opportunity for Bafana Bafana.
Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE action.
South Africa 1-2 Cameroon
20:54 , Oli Gent90+5 mins: Mbule delivers, but it’s nodded behind by a Cameroon head.
South Africa 1-2 Cameroon
20:53 , Oli Gent90+4 mins: Free kick, South Africa. Clever from Mokoena as he wins the foul off Soko. A real chance here for Mbule to do something. Last chance saloon?
South Africa 1-2 Cameroon
20:51 , Oli Gent90+2 mins: Free kick, Cameroon. Modiba looks to throw one into the box and Epassy flaps at it, but the referee helps out the Cameroon keeper, blowing for a foul on him.
South Africa 1-2 Cameroon
20:50 , Oli Gent90 mins: Five added minutes, as Makgopa goes so close, flicking a header just wide as Epassy comes and gets nowhere near the ball!
Goal! South Africa 1-2 Cameroon
20:47 , Oli Gent88 mins: The substitute Evidence Makgopa turns it home after a lovely cross from Modiba! They’re back in it.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:45 , Oli Gent86 mins: The subs have had an impact for South Africa, but it’s looking like too little, too late here.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:42 , Oli Gent84 mins: Moremi is on for Sibisi, and Mbule replaces Mofokeng.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:40 , Oli Gent81 mins: What a chance! A real opportunity for Kofane, who is found in behind by Mbeumo, but he blazes over!
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:38 , Oli Gent78 mins: A case of cramp for Nagida, who is replaced by Wooh. Namaso is off, with Kemen on in his place.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:35 , Oli Gent76 mins: A great ball into the area, flashed across the face of goal from Modiba, but no-one is on the end of it for South Africa!
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:31 , Oli Gent73 mins: Free kick, Cameroon. Sibisi sells Mokoena short, and Namaso darts in to intercept and wins the free kick.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:30 , Oli Gent71 mins: Great save! Action up at the other end as Cameroon break up the field from the corner, led by Mbeumo. He drives towards goal and has an effort well saved by Williams, who then does superbly to smother at the feet of Avom.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:28 , Oli Gent69 mins: It is Mokoena... who goes for goal! And it’s turned behind by a sprawling Epassy!
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:27 , Oli Gent68 mins: Free kick, South Africa. Mofokeng goes on a jinking run and is fouled by Avom. A chance for either Aubaas or Mokoena here.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:24 , Oli Gent67 mins: A yellow card is shown for Modiba for a foul on Baleba.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:22 , Oli Gent64 mins: Makgopa and Modiba are on for Kabini and Appollis.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:22 , Oli Gent63 mins: Good save! Epassy comes to Cameroon’s rescue as Kabini is denied from point-blank range. It’s a nice cross swung in which Cameroon don’t deal with, but Epassy saves!
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:20 , Oli Gent62 mins: Better from Bafana Bafana as Appollis and Foster link up. Foster sets it for the winger, who strikes at Kotto.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:19 , Oli GentYellow card for Sibisi, who fells Baleba in centre-field.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:17 , Oli Gent58 mins: Great play from Cameroon as Namaso is starting to strut his stuff. He picks up the ball, drives, and looks for a speculative effort from range, but it’s charged down.
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:14 , Oli Gent55 mins: What do South Africa do to respond here? How can they come back from this?
South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:10 , Oli Gent50 mins: The Indomitable Lions have impressed since the break. A perfect start for them to this second half.
Goal! South Africa 0-2 Cameroon
20:06 , Oli Gent48 mins: Cameroon are two up, and it’s Kofane! A great start for the Indomitable Lions, with a sublime ball from Nagida into the box, and the striker nods home emphatically.
South Africa 0-1 Cameroon
20:06 , Oli Gent47 mins: Close! Good start from Cameroon as Baleba seeks out Nagida, but his cross is snuffed out in the nick of time. Corner for Cameroon, but Namaso’s delivery is cleared.
Kick off!
20:04 , Oli Gent46 mins: We’re back underway.
HT: South Africa 0-1 Cameroon
19:49 , Oli GentCameroon go in ahead thanks to Tchamadeu's goal. They've really grown into this one.
What can Bafana Bafana do in the second period?
South Africa 0-1 Cameroon
19:46 , Oli Gent45 mins: Three added minutes.
South Africa 0-1 Cameroon
19:41 , Oli Gent42 mins: Close! Tchamadeu is causing problems as Cameroon are getting more and more of a foothold in the game. He links with Mbeumo, who finds Namaso. Namaso strikes with the ball bouncing invitingly for him, but it’s just over!
South Africa 0-1 Cameroon
19:39 , Oli Gent39 mins: Free kick, Cameroon. Another chance for the Indomitable Lions as Namaso delivers and Kotto meets it, but Williams claims well.
South Africa 0-1 Cameroon
19:36 , Oli Gent36 mins: VAR are checking for an offside... but the goal is given.
Goal! South Africa 0-1 Cameroon
19:35 , Oli Gent34 mins: Cameroon are ahead, and Junior Tchamadeu takes advantage of some pinball around the South African area. The right wing-back strokes home from the free kick, which comes back at Bafana Bafana after Foster had cleared the initial delivery.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:33 , Oli Gent33 mins: Samuel Eto’o watches on from the stands as Namaso goes down from a flailing elbow to the face. Mbeumo over this free kick.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:30 , Oli Gent30 mins: Half an hour played and it’s been stop-start so far. Namaso is the latest to be penalised for a shove on Mokoena.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:26 , Oli Gent27 mins: Free kick, Cameroon. Mbeumo’s first meaningful contribution of the game, but the delivery is easily headed away by the South African defence.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:24 , Oli Gent24 mins: Danny Namaso has been a thorn in the side of South Africa in these last few minutes. He’s operating more as an attacking midfielder alongside Mbeumo, picking up pockets, breaking the lines with dribbles, and looking to support attacking moves.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:21 , Oli Gent22 mins: Yongwa is up but is being taken off. Nagida replaces him at wing-back.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:19 , Oli Gent19 mins: The referee calls a halt in play while Yongwa gets some treatment. It seems quite an innocuous one, with no-one around the wing-back.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:16 , Oli Gent16 mins: Appollis is causing problems drifting in off the right, and he looks to force the ball into the box, but Cameroon hack it clear.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:15 , Oli Gent14 mins: No goal! Lyle Foster thinks he’s opened the scoring for Bafana Bafana as he breaks away from Sibisi’s through pass. The striker takes the finish nicely, but the flag is up.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:13 , Oli Gent13 mins: Free kick, South Africa. Yongwa is the guilty party, felling Aubaas.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:11 , Oli Gent11 mins: A crashing challenge coming in from Mokoena on the slide on Yongwa. A fast and ferocious start from South Africa.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:09 , Oli Gent9 mins: Close! Mofokeng breaks down the left and latches onto the loose ball, and he bears down on goal as Epassy looks to close the angle... but he fires over the top! Big chance!
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:06 , Oli Gent7 mins: Nice play from South Africa down the left as Foster makes a gallivanting run down the channel, but Malone shepherds it out for a goal kick.
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:04 , Oli Gent4 mins: Close! An early chance for Bafana Bafana as their two key men combine from the free kick. Appollis delivers from the right and Foster attacks it unnmarked, but he can only direct the header off target!
South Africa 0-0 Cameroon
19:03 , Oli Gent3 mins: An early yellow for the Cameroonian captain Tolo, who catches Mokoena late in midfield.
Kick off!
19:00 , Oli GentWe’re underway in Rabat.
Five minute warning
18:55 , Oli GentThe players are out, and it’s time for the anthems.
A reminder of the two team lineups for you...
South Africa XI: Williams; Mbokazi, Ngezana, Mudau, Kabini; Sibisi, Mokoena, Aubaas; Mofokeng, Appollis, Foster
Cameroon XI: Epassy; Malone, Kotto, Tolo; Tchamadeu, Namaso, Baleba, Avom, Yongwa; Mbeumo, Kofane
Ten minutes to kick off!
18:51 , Oli GentWho will win this one?
Match odds
18:45 , Oli GentSouth Africa to win: 2/1
Cameroon to win: 13/8
Draw: 7/4
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head
18:40 , Oli GentThese two nations have not met at all since 2016, when they drew a pair of AFCON qualifiers. Current Bafana Bafana coach Broos was then in charge of Cameroon, whom he led to the 2017 title in Gabon.
Five of the nine previous match-ups have ended in draws, with Cameroon’s only win over South Africa to date coming in a friendly back in 1992.
South Africa wins: 3
Cameroon wins: 1
Draws: 5
AFCON 2025: All you need to know
18:30 , Oli GentFind out all the fixtures, results, and latest schedule for the tournament here!
Also tonight!
18:21 , Oli GentChelsea travel to Manchester City for their first game post-Enzo Maresca.
And now Cameroon...
18:11 , Oli GentIt’s a 3-5-2 for Pagou’s side having switched to a 4-2-3-1 in their final group game.
The big hitters come back into the team, with Bryan Mbeumo afforded a free role off main striker Christian Kofane.
Danny Loader Namaso - formerly of Reading - is the other goalscoring threat, and he will break from midfield to join Mbeumo and Kofane in the final third.
That leaves Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Arthur Avom as the double pivot, sweeping up in front of a physical central defensive trio.
Stoke’s Junior Tchamadeu is at right wing-back, with Darline Yongwa on the opposite flank, and those two will offer the width.
You would expect Appollis and Mofokeng to fancy their chances against the pair, however...
Let's analyse these two teams, shall we?
18:02 , Oli GentStarting with South Africa, there are some surprises from Broos, who drops creative outlet Sipho Mbule from his selection.
There are places, of course, for Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster in the front three, while indefatiguable Teboho Mokoena is in the engine room adding that steel.
Bafana Bafana have plenty of options off the bench, including the maverick wide men Mohau Nkota and Tshepang Moremi, who both have eyes for goal.
South Africa lineup
17:55 , Oli Gent... and here’s how Bafana Bafana will take to the field in Rabat.
Bafana Bafana starting 11 vs Cameroon
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) January 4, 2026
AFCON: Last 16#BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @HonorAfrica @Shield_ZA @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/7nfPnNEpaN
Cameroon lineup
17:53 , Oli GentHere’s how the Indomitable Lions line up this evening...
⚽️🔥 #MATCHDAY
— Les Lions Indomptables Officiel (@LIndomptables) January 4, 2026
Voici le XI #LionsIndomptables qui vont commencer le match. #AFRIQUE DU SUD 🇿🇦 🆚 🇨🇲#CAMEROUN
📅 04/01/2026
⏰ 20H00
🏟️ Stade Al Medina
📍Rabat - Maroc
We are Lions. We CAN !!!🦁💚❤️💛#CANTOTALENERGIES2025 | #AFSCMR | #FINAL16 | #WEARELIONSWECAN | #GOLIONS | pic.twitter.com/xZkR1ODhzT
The story so far: South Africa
17:45 , Oli GentTwo wins and a defeat for Hugo Broos’ side so far.
A 2-1 win over Angola warmed them into the tournament, with star men Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster both opening their accounts on day one.
Against Egypt on Boxing Day, they were beaten by a Mohamed Salah penalty, and then they could not break down the 10-man Pharaohs in the second half after Mohamed Hany was sent off.
In the final game, they were given a mighty scare by Zimbabwe, with the Warriors cancelling out two South Africa leads before Appollis stroked home a late penalty to secure their place in the last 16.
The story so far: Cameroon
17:40 , Oli GentDavid Pagou’s side come into this match unbeaten in the tournament.
Two wins and a draw, it’s been a good start for the Indomitable Lions.
Striker Karl Etta Eyong got off the mark immediately in the opening win over Gabon, and they defended resolutely to grind out a 1-1 draw with the Ivory Coast.
The resilience was tested against Mozambique, coming from behind to seal a crucial win and progression into the knockout stages, with Christian Kofane notching his first of the tournament on 55 minutes to complete the turnaround.
Standard Sport prediction
17:31 , Oli GentWe have yet to see the best of South Africa at this tournament, with respective heroics from Foster and Oswin Appollis ensuring they edged out Angola and Zimbabwe either side of losing to Egypt as a result of Mohamed Salah’s controversial penalty.
Failing to take advantage of the Pharaohs playing the entire second half with 10 men will have set alarm bells ringing.
David Pagou’s Cameroon got their own scare against Mozambique and needed Christian Kofane’s superb first international goal to secure victory, having fought hard to draw with Ivory Coast and deservedly beat Gabon.
We envisage these two sides largely cancelling each other out in a tense, even and cagey affair that could well go all the way to penalties, with Bafana Bafana narrowly coming through in the end.
South Africa to win, 1-0.
Cameroon team news
17:27 , Oli GentManchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo and Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba both made way at the interval during Cameroon’s win over Mozambique, though that was believed to be in a bid to ensure the key pair avoided picking up yellow cards that would have seen them suspended for the last 16.
Captain Nouhou Tolo suffered a hamstring injury shortly before half-time and was replaced in defence by Christopher Wooh.
South Africa team news
17:22 , Oli GentSouth Africa midfielder Sphephelo "Yaya" Sithole was replaced by Bathusi Aubaas at half-time against Zimbabwe, but head coach Hugo Broos confirmed afterwards that it was a tactical decision rather than injury-related.
Broos criticised Sithole for losing the ball too easily and making wrong decisions, putting his place in the team in jeopardy as we enter the knockout rounds.
Sipho Mbule returned against Zimbabwe as Broos went back to a more attacking lineup led by Burnley’s Lyle Foster, having installed Thalente Mbatha in midfield for the defeat by Egypt.
How to watch
17:20 , Oli GentTV channel: Every match at AFCON is being shown live in the UK across the Channel 4 network.
This game will be broadcast on 4seven, with coverage beginning at 6:55pm GMT.
Live stream: The fixture will also be shown live online via the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel and through Channel 4’s official website and app.
Hello and welcome!
17:10 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations encounter with Cameroon.
This should be a thrilling last 16 clash, with kick off at 7pm GMT.
Stay with us!
