AFCON 2025: Appollis, Foster, fire South Africa to 2-1 victory over Angola in heated Group B opener
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Bafana Bafana kick off AFCON 2025 with three points against Palancas Negras
The large contingent of South African fans in attendance at Stade de Marrakech were sent into raptures at the full-time whistle on Monday night, when Bafana Bafana saw off a stern challenge from Angola to secure a 2-1 victory and confirm our AFCON 2025 predictions for the match.
Hugo Broos made a big call to start Oswin Appollis ahead of Orlando Pirates Player of the Month Relebohile Mofokeng, and his faith in the former Polokwane City winger paid almost immediate dividends as he put South Africa into the lead with a pinpoint strike just 21 minutes into the match.
However, Angola responded impressively, imposing their physical presence in the centre of the park, and after forcing Ronwen Williams into a couple of good saves, got their reward 10 minutes before the break through a delightful backheel by Kocaelispor loanee Show.
Palancas Negras were the better side leading up to the interval, which forced Broos into a tactical change during the break, replacing Mohau Nkota with the speedy Tshepang Moremi, who proved to be a constant menace to the Angolan defence from the moment he stepped onto the pitch.
Moremi thought he had given Bafana the lead just six minutes after coming on when he finished off a stunning counterattack, but the goal was soon ruled out after VAR deemed that Lyle Foster was in an offside position in the build-up to the goal.
However, the Burnley striker redeemed himself in style 10 minutes before the final whistle by playing a neat one-two with Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokwena before launching a screamer from just outside of the box beyond a helpless Hugo Marques.
Patrice Beaumelle tried a final roll of the dice by bringing on Randy Nteka, Beni Mukendi and Chico Banza in the final moments, but Bafana Bafana held firm to see out the match at 2-1, taking three vital points and top spot in Group B before Egypt face Zimbabwe in Agadir.
Could Foster be the hero for South Africa at AFCON 2025
While much has been made about Hugo Broos’s decision to rely heavily on locally-based players for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the inclusion of Lyle Foster proved to be a key factor behind South Africa’s opening match success.
Despite having to toil for much of the match without many clear-cut chances, the Burnley forward was excellent at holding up play whenever he was brought into play and showed incredible strength against Buatu, Gaspar and Clinton Mata in the Angolan defence.
When the opportunity finally presented itself, Foster produced a strike worthy of winning any Premier League contest, and his overall performance earned him the Player of the Match award, justifying the Belgian head coach's decision to maintain faith in him ahead of Evidence Makgopa.
Foster will have to continue in the same vein if South Africa are to challenge Group B favourites Egypt. Bafana Bafana will have just under four days to prepare for their clash against the Pharaohs at Stade Adrar in Agadir on Boxing Day.
