Arubi lauds ‘clever’ Appollis for tricking him with Bafana’s winning penalty

Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi has lauded Oswin Appollis for tricking him into going the wrong way when he scored Bafana Bafana’s winning goal.

Appollis converted an 82^nd minute penalty to give South Africa the win after a frantic game that could have gone either way in the two teams’ final group stage match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

Bafana Bafana had gone ahead after seven minutes when Tshepang Moremi’s shot deflected off Divine Lunga and deceived Arubi to go in but the Warriors restored parity in the 19^th minute when Tawanda Maswanhise weaved his ways past his markers to strike past Ronwen Williams.

Lyle Foster headed in for 2-1 in the 50^th minute after another mistake from Lunga but Aubrey Modiba would score an unfortunate own goal after Williams had pulled off a great save only for the rebound to come off the left-back’s chest.

Arubi concedes Appolis deceived him

That was in the 73^rd minute and it gave Zimbabwe energy as they went for the kill but they were pegged back when Marvelous Nakamba gave away a penalty with a careless handball.

Appollis stepped up against Arubi, who plays for Marumo Gallants, and gave him the eyes, as if he was going to place the ball on the goalkeeper’s left, only to strike the other way as the Zimbabwe custodian was beaten.

“He was a bit clever because I know him. He doesn’t usually put the ball there because I think he changed in the last seconds,” Arubi admitted after the match. “He was also clever and it was good to him but next time I will get him. We still have a fight,” added the goalkeeper.

Victory secured Bafana Bafana’s place in the knockout rounds and they will now wait to know who between Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Mozambique they will face in the Round of 16.