South Africa secured their spot in the knockout round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a thrilling 3-2 win against Zimbabwe in Marrakech.
In a seesaw match, Oswin Appollis’ late penalty allowed Bafana Bafana to secure second place in Group B, trailing Egypt, who had drawn their last game 0-0 against Angola, while Zimbabwe was eliminated in fourth.
South Africa got off to a rapid start against their rivals, taking the lead after seven minutes when Tshepang Moremi’s shot deflected off Divine Lunga to sail over the helpless goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Zimbabwe reacted impressively, as Tawanda Maswanhise showcased his skill by weaving through defenders before scoring one of the tournament’s best goals into the bottom corner.
The second half started with heightened intensity, and the 1996 champions regained their lead in the 50th minute when Burnley forward Lyle Foster capitalized on a backward header, outpacing Arubi to the ball to head in his second goal of the group stage.
Zimbabwe executed a triple substitution to add new energy and would not back down, with their determination paying off due to a fortunate turn of events when goalkeeper Ronwen Williams’ save deflected off covering defender Aubrey Modiba and into the goal.
Appollis subsequently converted from the penalty spot after Warriors captain Marvelous Nakamba was penalized for a diving handball due to the video assistant referee’s intervention.
In a match defined by shifts in momentum and critical interventions instead of prolonged control, Bafana Bafana demonstrated superior efficiency at crucial times, taking advantage of defensive mistakes and set-piece opportunities.
Hugo Broos’ team aimed to recover from a 1-0 defeat against Egypt, following a close 2-1 victory over Angola in their first match.
In this match, their two goals from open play resulted from mistakes rather than precision, as 40-year-old Arubi was slow to react for Foster’s header, and the penalty was due to Nakamba’s poor body positioning.
As Zimbabwe lamented costly errors and squandered chances without injured striker Knowledge Musona, South Africa enhanced their performance through offensive efforts and midfield dominance, with Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena regularly seeking to advance the ball swiftly.
Their offensive line was straightforward and eager to take shots early, consistently disrupting opponents whose defensive focus and communication faltered at key times.
Zimbabwe showcased their determination and offensive boldness, unwilling to fall back even when behind, yet their inability to finish was just as detrimental as their defensive weaknesses.
New coach Mario Marinica requested his team to maintain greater compactness and handle matches more effectively following a late 2-1 loss to Egypt in their first match, while Musona’s outstanding goal subsequently secured a 1-1 tie against Angola before this critical defeat.
Tawanda Maswanhise excelled with his speed and ball skills, whereas Nakamba secured the midfield with vigor, though his assertiveness sometimes caused disorder.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams remains a steady leader at the back for South Africa, whose second victory secures them six points in the group stage—four ahead of Angola—though the goals allowed in this match may prompt concerns regarding the defense in front of Williams.
Their ability to deal with challenges, however, showcased a mindset that could be crucial as they seek to enhance their third-place result at the 2023 AFCON.
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.
