AFCON 2025: South Africa secure spot in last 16 after five-goal thriller against Zimbabwe
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Bafana Bafana snatch late victory against brave Warriors
South Africa became the fourth team after Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria to book their spot in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after holding off a brave Zimbabwe in a five-goal thriller in Marrakesh on Monday evening.
Bafana Bafana got off to a brisk start and took the lead inside the first 10 minutes through the speedy Tshepang Moremi, but Zimbabwe quickly settled into the match and Tawanda Maswanhise levelled proceedings 12 minutes later.
While Hugo Broos’s side dominated possession throughout the remainder of the first half, they were unable to find the go-ahead goal, but that changed five minutes into the second period when Lyle Foster rose above Washington Arubi to stick away the team’s second.
Our experts had picked out the Burnley striker as one to watch in our AFCON 2025 predictions, and he produced an excellent performance up top, once again showing incredible strength and bravery to hold up play and bring the likes of Moremi and Sipho Mbule into play.
However, despite conceding a second goal, the Warriors never backed down. In fact, Marian Marinica’s side seemed to step up their performance each time they went behind and brought parity on the scoresheet again in the 73rd minute, when a Ronwen Williams save rebounded off Aubrey Modiba and into the back of the net.
The final quarter of an hour was all-out action with both teams pushing for a crucial third, and South Africa got the breakthrough after Marvelous Nakamba was penalised for a handball while trying to defend a shot inside the six-yard box.
Oswin Appollis stepped up and slotted away the penalty, sending Arubi the wrong way. The Warriors carved out one final big chance in the dying moments of the match, but the outstretched leg of Williams denied them an equaliser and confirmed South Africa’s progress to the knockout stage.
Appollis shines again but still no place for Mofokeng
After failing to break down Egypt in the last match, many expected that Hugo Broos would consider recalling Relebohile Mofokeng to the starting lineup, but the Belgian opted to go with Mbule against Zimbabwe in the number 10 role instead.
‘Master Chef’ had a relatively underwhelming match from an attacking perspective, but he did drop into midfield to help out Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole. However, there are still questions around whether the Orlando Pirates man is the right choice alongside Foster in attack.
One player whose place is unquestionable right now, though, is Oswin Appollis. The 24-year-old winger was a constant threat for Bafana Bafana down the left flank, and stuck away his penalty with aplomb, despite the huge pressure on his shoulders.
Both Appollis and Foster have now netted twice for Bafana Bafana at the 2025 AFCON, one behind tournament leader Riyad Mahrez. South Africa will face the runner-up from Group F in the round of 16 in Rabat on January 4.
