Nomvete fires South Africa into last eight (31.01.2002)
SEGOU
- Substitute Siyabonga Nomvete was the inspiration as South Africa reached the African Nations Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Morocco on Wednesday.
The World Cup finalists, held to goalless draws in their first two matches, now play hosts Mali in the last eight in Kayes on Sunday after taking top place in Group B.
Nomvete set up South Africa`s first two goals before scoring the third himself.
South Africa had to win to qualify for the next stage but they looked dour and listless until coach Carlos Queiroz brought Nomvete on as a 32nd minute substitute for Delron Buckley.
The Italian-based left winger provided the first goal 10 minutes with a dribbling run that saw him cut into the Moroccan defence before crossing for Benni McCarthy to shoot from close range.
STATIC DEFENCE
McCarthy`s effort was saved by Morocco goalkeeper Driss Benzerki but Sibusiso Zuma followed up to bundle the ball over the goal line.
Three
minutes after the interval Nomvete breezed past a static defence to lay on an easy tap-in for Thabo Mngomeni after a long ball from the back caught the Moroccans square.
A similar punt in the 51st minute saw McCarthy cut in from left before pulling in back for Nomvete to blast home from close range as again Morocco were caught out at the back.
The goals fired the north Africans into life and Hans Vonk, celebrating his 32nd birthday, pulled off a good stop in the 71st minute when Abdeljilil Hadda hesitated with only the South African goalkeeper to beat.
But Vonk could do little about Rachid Benmahmoud`s penalty five minutes later after Zuma brought down Adil Ramzi in the penalty area.
Nomvete came close to a second goal at the other end but headed wide after winning a chase for a loose ball against Morocco captain Noureddine Naybet.
Morocco were eliminated following a dramatic late win for Ghana against Burkina Faso in Mopti in the other group game.
