- South Africa vs Angola ended 2–1 in favour of Bafana Bafana in their Group B opener at AFCON 2025.
- The match was staged at the Stade de Marrakech on Monday, December 22.
- Oswin Appolis and Lyle Foster scored the winning goals for Hugo Broos’ side, while Show netted a consolation strike for Angola.
Bafana Bafana of South Africa survived a spirited Angola test as they claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday evening at the Stade de Marrakech.
South Africa drew first blood through Oswin Appolis before Angola leveled the score in the same half via Show.
However, a decisive second-half strike from Lyle Foster sealed the win for Hugo Broos’s squad in one of the tournament’s toughest groups, which also features Zimbabwe and record champions Egypt.
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South Africa vs Angola AFCON 2025 Group B match report
The first clear opportunity arose in the 15th minute when Angola’s Alfredo Kulembe unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from inside the box, forcing South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into a crucial save as the match remained a tense affair.
Five minutes later, South Africa broke the deadlock following a fluid buildup from the right wing.
The ball was delivered into the penalty area, where Brent Foster laid it off for Oswin Appolis, who made no mistake, slotting a low finish into the bottom left corner past Hugo Marques.
From the outset, Angola appeared formidable, creating several chances despite trailing.
Just before the half-hour mark, Jacinto Dala’s powerful header was parried away by Williams, who preserved his side’s lead under pressure.
After a prolonged search for an equalizer and several near misses, Angola finally breached South Africa’s defense from a set piece.
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A well-placed cross from the left by Fredy found Show, who skillfully diverted the ball backward with his right foot into the net, restoring parity.
The second half saw both sides create opportunities, but Bafana Bafana dominated possession.
In the 51st minute, substitute Tshepang Moremi thought he had scored, only for VAR to disallow the goal for offside in the buildup.
Seven minutes later, Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s powerful strike rattled the crossbar, denying the South Africans a second goal.
However, their persistence paid off in the 78th minute.
Following a clever buildup, Moremi slipped a pass to Lyle Foster, who fired a firm right-footed shot inside the box into the left side of the net, putting Hugo Broos’s side back in front.
Despite late attempts by Angola to find another equalizer, they were unable to convert, and the match ended in South Africa’s favor.
This victory marks their first win against Angola in six encounters and their third triumph in the five times the teams have met in AFCON history.
South Africa vs Angola AFCON 2025 Group B Lineups – Monday, December 22 2025
South Africa: Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Maphosa Modiba, Oswin Appolis, Brent Foster, Lenity Nkota, Sphephelo Sithole, Mfanufikile Mbokazi, Sipho Mbule, Johnson Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana.
Angola: Hugo Marques, Jonothan Mananga, Clinton Mukoni, Kialonda Gaspar, Simao Muanza, Nzola Mbala, Jacinto Dala, Augusto de Jesus, Alfredo Kulembe, Sebastiao Luvumba, Manuel Luis.