South Africa got their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign off to a winning start after edging Angola 2-1 in an entertaining Group B opener, extending Bafana Bafana’s unbeaten run to 12 matches across all competitions.
With AFCON having kicked off just a day earlier, hosts Morocco opening the tournament with a 2-0 win over Comoros, courtesy of Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz’s opening strike, both sides were eager to make an early statement in Marrakesh. Hugo Broos’ men, labelled quiet contenders, faced an Angola side still searching for a first-ever AFCON win over South Africa.
The game began at a frantic pace. Teboho Mokoena tested his luck from distance early on, while at the other end Fredy’s acrobatic left-footed volley forced a sharp save from Ronwen Williams. South Africa gradually settled and were rewarded in the 21st minute when Oswin Appollis drove into the box from the right and rifled a low shot into the corner to hand Bafana Bafana the lead.
That advantage didn’t last comfortably. Williams had to react quickly to claw away Gelson Dala’s header following a dangerous Fredy corner, and Angola’s pressure eventually told. From another well-delivered set-piece, Show slid in brilliantly to turn Fredy’s free-kick into the net, marking his 50th international appearance with a goal and sending both teams into the break level.
South Africa pushed again after the restart, introducing Tshepang Moremi to add energy. The winger thought he had restored the lead just six minutes in with a fine left-footed strike, only for VAR to rule it out after deciding Lyle Foster had interfered from an offside position. The setback didn’t knock Broos’ side off course, though, as Mbekezeli Mbokazi rattled the crossbar with a fierce effort and Angola began to look unsettled.
Both teams chased a winner, with Angola threatening through Maestro and Foster blazing over after being teed up by Moremi. Redemption soon followed for the Burnley striker, however, as he produced a moment of real quality, curling a beautiful effort beyond Hugo Marques to restore South Africa’s lead.
It wasn’t Foster’s sharpest outing overall, but his decisive strike proved enough to separate the sides in a tightly fought contest. Softfootball had predicted a cagey affair in its pre-match preview tipping a narrow 1-0 South Africa win and while the scoreline was slightly wider, the battle unfolded much as expected.
After the game, CAF via its official X handle, confirmed that South African Striker Lyle Foster was named the player of the match after scoring a late winner for the Bafana Bafana, They posted:
The victory puts Bafana Bafana in a strong position ahead of a heavyweight clash with seven-time champions Egypt on Boxing Day, while Angola will be left frustrated after pushing hard but coming away empty-handed.
