Durban - Cape Verde pulled off their second surprising result of the Africa Cup of Nations, and did hosts South Africa a big favour, as they held Morocco to a 1-1 draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday.
Although Cape Verde were unable to hold onto the lead provided by a 36th-minute goal from Luis Soares, a second draw was another stunner by a team from a tiny island nation with a population of just half a million.
Halftime substitute Youssef El Arabi spared some of Morocco's blushes when he turned in Abdelaziz Barrada's clinical cutback 12 minutes from time.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Cape Verde v Morocco
But the Atlas Lions now face a must-win clash with South Africa, who beat Angola 2-0 in the day's earlier Group A game at the same venue, if they are to secure qualification for the next round.
This result means that Bafana Bafana now top group A with four points ahead of their final group clash against Morocco in Durban on Sunday.