Worldcup 1998 : ACN'98 - Morocco 1 / South Africa 2, February 21, 1998.

MOROCCO 1 / SOUTH AFRICA 2, February 21, 1998.

World Cup qualifiers march on at African Nations
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OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso , February 21, 1998 (AP)

Title holder South Africa marched into the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations on Sunday by beating Morocco 2-1 with one goal in each half.

South Africa pushed out Africa's top-ranked team, Morocco, to join Congo, Burkina Faso and Egypt in the semifinals.

South Africa opened the scoring when Helman Nkhalele burst into the box on the right and saw his snap shot to the near post parried by Abdel Kader el-Brazi.

The loose ball was headed back from beyond the far post by Brendan Augustine for Benedict McCarthy to finish in style from close range. It was the fifth goal of the tournament for the 26-year-old Ajax-based striker.

Morocco drew even 11 minutes from halftime when Youssef Chippo met a corner from the left. His downward header was guided over the line from close range with a header by Said Chiba.

Morocco had possession for most of the second half but, 16 minutes from the end, South Africa broke out to score a winner. Fullback David Nyathi cut into the box, switched the ball onto his right foot and thundered the ball into the top corner at el-Brazi's near post.

Defender Andrew Rabtula received a red card in the final minute, taking the edge off South Africa's victory. He will miss the semifinals, in which South Africa will meet Congo. Burkina Faso plays Egypt in the other match. All four group winners have now been now eliminated in the quarterfinals.