Goat’s gloat? Bafana shades Morocco with Ronaldo celebration

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana have playfully poked fun at Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) exit by mimicking the celebration of soccer’s biggest star – Cristiano Ronaldo.

And it had everything to do with that Fifa World Cup quarter-final game back in 2022.

On Tuesday evening, SA defeated the Atlas Eagles 2-0 at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro.

ALSO READ: ‘Going to win, without a doubt’: Ramaphosa predicts Morocco defeat

SA PLAYERS CHANNEL RONALDO CELEBRATIONS

After scoring South Africa’s second goal in extra time, Bafana Bafana’s Teboho Mokoena rallied his teammates for an epic celebration.

In pics and clips that have flooded social media, the players mimicked one of Cristiano Ronalo’s goal celebrations.

But the move was more than just a nod to the “GOAT.” Back in 2022, Ronaldo wept bitterly after Morocco knocked out Portugal from the World Cup quarter-finals. This meant that the footballer was likely never to experience a World Cup title win during his playing career.

ALSO READ: ‘Coach’ Zizi Kodwa offers Bafana Bafana advice before Afcon game

He shared in an Instagram post: “I gave it my all. Left it all on the field. I never turned my face to fight and I never gave up on that dream”

On social media, South Africans were amused at Bafana Bafana not only boasting about their Morocco defeat but “avenging” Ronaldo too.

Thank you South Africa (Bafana Bafana) for avenging Cristiano Ronaldo ❤️🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/SZAihdasgg

— +UTD|RM (@UTDxRM) January 30, 2024

WHO WILL BAFANA BAFANA PLAY NEXT?

Bafana Bafana will play Cape Verde in the Afcon quarter-finals on Saturday, 3 February.

Should they win, they will progress to the semi-finals, where they will play either Nigeria or Angola.

Will they bring the spirit of Ronaldo with them again? Let us know in the comments…