AFCON: Ex-Lions laud team for victory over South Africa.

The Indomitable Lions advanced to the last eight of the continent’s most prestigious competition for the first time since the 2021 edition after a 2-1 win over South Africa. 

The fixture counting for the round of 16 clash of the ongoing AFCON in Morocco took place on Sunday January 4, 2026, at the Agdal Medina Stadium in Rabat. 

Reacting to the team’s victory over the Bafana Bafana, a team that finished third during the 2023 edition in Cote d’Ivoire, former Cameroon captain, Rigobert Song, salute the team’s fighting spirit, combativeness. 

Song, who was the Indomitable Lions coach during the last AFCON as the team crashed out in the round of 16 after defeat to Nigeria, also expressed confidence that the team will reach the semi-final and edged closer to the trophy. 

“We saw a compact team, well organized in every way. Today, we are proud. It felt like before we had a club. Now, we have a team. We are satisfied, we know we will win the next match,” Rigobert Song said. 

Alexandre Song, like his brother and former national teammate, also saluted the team for their recent victory, which saw them better their performance in the last AFCON. 

He commended the team’s fighting spirit and determination to secure a vital win to qualify for the next round. 

“What an incredible victory for Cameroon yesterday. Honestly, it was magnificent. The Indomitable Lions made us thrill like rarely in the AFCON. A determined team, impressive solidarity, determination, commitment in every duel, exactly the DNA of Cameroon,” Alexandre Song said. 

Song added: “We saw a group that does not give up anything, that plays for each other with heart and pride of the jersey. The kind of match that reminds you why we love football. A Cameroon that makes us dream, that restores faith and shows that when the mindset is there, anything becomes possible. The guys were huge”. 

The win over South Africa means that Cameroon will face hosts Morocco in the quarter-final of the 2025 AFCON. It is going to be an acid test for the Indomitable Lions. 

Morocco is unbeaten in its last 37 matches with 32 wins and five draws. 

But the Atlas Lions know better that the one team you do not want to face as AFCON host nation is Cameroon. 

The Indomitable Lions are the last team to beat Morocco on November 14, 2009. 

Also, the last time the North African nation hosted the tournament, Cameroon edged them in the semi-final and went on to clinch the coveted title. 

Morocco also had memories of 1982 when they missed the World Cup because of Cameroon and another setback against the five-time African champions in 1992. 

The match will take place on Friday January 9 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at 8:00pm local time.  

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3665 of Tuesday January 06, 2026