South Africa are through to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco round of 16 following a hard-fought 3-2 win over Zimbabwe at the Marrakech Stadium on Monday, joining Egypt as the two teams from Group B to secure the two automatic spots.
Following the narrow 1-0 loss to Egypt in their second group game, the Bafana Bafana needed a draw to automatically see themselves through to the next round but the South African went for the three points on Monday to finish second in Group B with six points, one adrift of leaders, Algeria.
It only took the South Africans seven minutes to find the net through Tshepang Moremi, who powered home a pass by Lyle Foster to give Bafana Bafana the lead. However, Zimbabwe responded in the 19th minute thanks to a goal by Tawanda Maswanhise to draw level at the halftime break.
Foster restored South Africa’s lead five minutes into the second half when he headed home the ball from the centre of the box but Zimbabwe equalised for the second time in the clash in the 73rd minute after Aubrey Modiba deflected the ball into his own net following an initial save by Ronwen Williams.
Oswin Appollis sealed the victory for South Africa eight minutes from normal time, scoring from the spot after the Bafana Bafana were awarded a penalty when midfielder Marvelous Nakamba made a goalkeeper-style diving save and handled a shot that appeared to be going wide.
Speaking after the match, South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos, said “Once again we fell asleep after a good start. We continuously lost possession. Our passing was bad at times and we should have concentrated on retaining possession in the closing minutes instead of seeking a fourth goal. We have to work on controlling games.”
Meanwhile at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Angola and a heavily-rotated Egypt side settled for a goalless draw in the second Group B match of the day. While Egypt has already booked their place in the next round, Angola is unlikely to progress.
Angola currently sit fourth on the best third-placed team with two points but are very likely to be displaced by other countries when more matches are decided on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I have mixed feelings tonight. First of all, I am sad because we only got one point. We wanted more, Angola head coach, Patrice Beaumelle, said after the match.
“But on the other hand, I saw my team do exactly what I asked of them on the pitch. I think we were the better team tonight and that we deserved to win. In short, I am sad but at the same time very proud of my players.”