AFCON 2025: Bafana Bafana Beat Zimbabwe in five-goal thriller to seal last-16 Spot

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AFCON 2025: Bafana Bafana Beat Zimbabwe in five-goal thriller to seal last-16 Spot

South Africa booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 after edging Zimbabwe 3-2 in a thrilling Group B encounter at Marrakesh Stadium on Monday evening.

Goals from Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, and Oswin Appollis secured second place in the group behind Egypt, setting up a knockout clash against the Group F runner-up Ivory Coast, Cameroon, or Mozambique on Sunday, 4 January in Rabat.

 Zimbabwe, meanwhile, finished bottom of the group and maintained their unwanted record of never progressing beyond the group stage at AFCON.

Early Drama and Quick Responses

South Africa struck first in the 7th minute when Moremi’s angled effort deflected off Divine Lunga and wrong-footed goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Zimbabwe responded in the 19th minute through Tawanda Maswanhise, who weaved past defenders before firing low beyond Ronwen Williams.

Bafana Bafana celebrate victory against Zimbabwe. Photo – SAFA

The Warriors nearly went ahead on the half-hour mark, but Munashe Garananga headed over from Jonah Fabisch’s pinpoint free kick. The sides went into the break level at 1-1.

Second-Half Thriller

Hugo Broos introduced Bathusi Aubaas after halftime to add steel in midfield, and the move paid off as Bafana reclaimed the lead in the 50th minute. Foster pounced on Lunga’s poor back header and bravely beat Arubi to nod into an empty net.

Zimbabwe made a triple substitution on the hour and came close to equalising when Maswanhise struck the post. Their persistence paid off in the 74th minute, as Chirewa’s pass released Maswanhise, his shot was saved, but the rebound deflected off Aubrey Modiba for an own goal.

The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute after VAR confirmed a handball by Marvelous Nakamba. Appollis stepped up and coolly converted from the spot to make it 3-2.

South Africa held firm under late pressure to claim a vital win and keep their AFCON dream alive.

Bafana Bafana players celberate beating Zimbabwe at AFCON 2025. Photo – SAFA

Final Score:
Zimbabwe (1) 2 – Maswanhise 19’, Modiba (OG) 74’
South Africa (1) 3 – Moremi/Lunga (OG) 7’, Foster 50’, Appollis (pen) 82’

Zimbabwe XI: Arubi; Galloway, Takwara, Garananga (Jalai 75’), Fabisch (Chakuchichi 89’); Antonio (Zindoga 60’), Nakamba, Msendami (Chirewa 59’); Lunga, Dube (Bonne 60’), Maswanhise.
South Africa XI: Williams; Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole (Aubaas 46’); Appollis, Mbule (Mbatha 87’), Moremi (Nkota 76’); Foster (Makgopa 73’).

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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