'They thought Makgopa was offside but VAR gave them Evidence'

South Africans have hit out at the Morocco national team after their captain Romain Saiss seemingly blamed the referee for their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations exit.

Saiss astonishingly claimed that there were "refereeing lapses" during their fateful 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bafana Bafana in the round of 16. 

South Africa have since booked a quarterfinal spot and are set to face Cape Verde on Saturday. However, it appears that the KO readers on Facebook are not entirely pleased with the manner in which the Moroccan team has gone about the defeat.

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"They thought Makgopa was offside but VAR gave them Evidence," says Bongani Mgubela.

"But that referee was on their side but yeah it's true, being eliminated is painful," says Cäströw Masërolë Caströw.

"Well, I am not surprised they claimed everything last night except the the win. Well done to our boys," says Mzu Dyasi.

"Arabs dont accept defeat, we watched that game, you even missed a penalty that you were given by the same referee you are blaming," says Liberty Kanogwere.

"The problem about these Arabian nations, they are spoiled. They used to give us the hard time when we visit them and we ended up losing games. They were identified as most successful teams in the continent. Now there are no favours. CAF leaders changed. Look at the results, they tell you something about so-called big nations being knocked out," says Sizwe Dlomo.

"A penalty and an extra 10 minutes, what more do they want," says Nikza Mofokeng.

"These guys missed their chances, including the penalty. They have themselves to blame," says Kenny X Songo. 

"These guys will always have something to say. They never accept a loss. Unsportsmanlike and disappointing," says Magagula Bongani.

"Was it the referee who missed the penalty," says Calvin Baloyi.

"Morocco is our daily bread. Sundowns taught us their weaknesses. We play as a team. We want to see South African flag fly. We want to finish what Sundowns started some few months ago," says Tshiamo Mporoza.

"If you miss a penalty and chances, please don't expect the referee to score goals for you," says Ann Benade. 

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Meanwhile, fellow AFCON favourites and defending champions Senegal were also eliminated from the competition after losing to hosts Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties on Monday. One of their players, Keprin Diatta of AS Monaco, has since accused CAF of being "corrupt" after his team were not awarded what he saw as a penalty during the match.

KO readers appeared unimpressed with the 24-year-old's comments. Here's a look:

"You lost, chief. You can't win them all, chill," says Kgotla Ditlhake.

"They were winning and they did not say anything. They are dumped out, they complain," says Alfie Smallz.

"Caf didn't take their penalties," says Emmanuel Manu Mafokwane.

"But you lost on the field, guys…not in the office. When they ordered a replay against Bafana Bafana after your country lost, were they not corrupt? Senegal and Ghana must lose tot Piet kom (until Piet comes)," says Nyiko Mathebula.

"When they won the AFCON, they never said CAF was corrupt and now they got knocked out and they accuse CAF of corruption. Mxm," says Capezio Firebrand.

"Corrupt for not giving Mane a red card," says Collen Wadikgomo.

"He doesn't want to accept defeat," says Dumie Dnyce.

"What goes around comes around. Sadio Mane was supposed to get a red card but hell no. He got only a yellow card," says Mokgethi William.

See the Mane incident in question below:

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