South Africa booked their place in the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in Marrakech.
In a see-saw game, Oswin Appollis’ late penalty helped Bafana Bafana finish second in Group B, behind Egypt who earlier drew their final game 0-0 against Angola, with Zimbabwe eliminated in fourth.
South Africa made a flying start against their neighbours, taking the lead after seven minutes when Tshepang Moremi’s shot took a wicked deflection off Divine Lunga to loop over stranded goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Zimbabwe responded in style, with Tawanda Maswanhise producing a moment of brilliance by dancing through before firing one of the goals of the tournament into the bottom corner of the net.
The second half began with even greater intensity and the 1996 champions restored their advantage in the 50th minute when Burnley striker Lyle Foster pounced on a back header, beating Arubi to the ball to nod home his second goal of the group stage.
Zimbabwe made a triple substitution to inject fresh urgency and refused to wilt, with their persistence rewarded via a huge slice of luck when goalkeeper Ronwen Williams’ save sent the ball cannoning off the face of covering defender Aubrey Modiba and into the net.
Appollis then converted from the spot after Warriors skipper Marvelous Nakamba was penalised for a diving handball following the intervention of the video assistant referee.
South Africa will face the runners-up from Group F – Ivory Coast, Cameroon or Mozambique – in Rabat on Sunday (19:00 GMT), while Zimbabwe are yet to progress from the group stage in any of their six Afcon appearances.
South Africa punish Zimbabwe blunders
In a contest shaped by momentum swings and decisive interventions rather than sustained dominance, Bafana Bafana showed greater efficiency in key moments, capitalising on defensive lapses and set-piece situations.
Hugo Broos’ side were looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Egypt, having narrowly beaten Angola 2-1 in their opener.
Here, both of their goals from open play stemmed from errors rather than incision, with 40-year-old Arubi slow off his line for Foster’s header and the penalty decision a result of poor body positioning by Nakamba.
While Zimbabwe were left to rue damaging mistakes and missed opportunities in the absence of injured forward Knowledge Musona, South Africa built their performance on attacking intent and controlling midfield, with Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena consistently looking to progress the ball quickly.
Their front line was direct and willing to shoot early, repeatedly troubling opponents whose defensive concentration and communication lapsed at crucial moments.
Zimbabwe impressed with their spirit and attacking bravery, refusing to sit deep even when trailing, but their lack of a cutting edge was as costly as their defensive frailties.
New coach Mario Marinica had asked his side to stay more compact and manage games better after a late 2-1 defeat to Egypt in their opener, while Musona’s exceptional goal then earned them a 1-1 draw against Angola ahead of this decisive defeat.
Tawanda Maswanhise stood out with his pace and dribbling, while Nakamba anchored midfield with intensity, although his aggression occasionally led to raggedness.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams continues to provide composed leadership at the back for South Africa, whose second win means they finish the group stage with six points – four clear of Angola – although the goals they conceded here will raise questions about the defence in front of Williams.
Their capacity to respond to setbacks, however, demonstrated a mentality which could prove vital as they attempt to improve on their third-placed finish at the 2023 Afcon.
