South Africa secured their passage to the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a 3-2 victory over neighbors Zimbabwe at the Stade de Marrakech on Monday evening.
In the high-stakes Group B final match, Bafana Bafana overcame two equalizers from a resilient Warriors side to finish as group runners-up behind Egypt, effectively ending Zimbabwe’s hopes of a maiden appearance in the Round of 16.
Coach Hugo Broos made one adjustment from the side that lost to Egypt, handing a start to Sipho Mbule in place of Thalente Mbatha.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, were forced into a defensive reshuffle, with Brendan Galloway stepping in for the injured Teenage Hadebe.
South Africa seal Knockout stage slot with victory over Zimbabwe
The match exploded into life as early as the 7th minute. Tshepang Moremi justified his inclusion by firing South Africa ahead with a clinical left-footed strike that took a slight deflection before nestling in the roof of the net.
Zimbabwe, needing a win to stay in the tournament, responded just over ten minutes later.
In the 19th minute, Tawanda Maswanhise leveled the score with a composed finish into the bottom corner following a clever assist from Jonah Fabisch with the match heading into the halftime break on level terms.
The second half started off with intensity as South Africa regained the lead in the 50th minute when Lyle Foster rose highest in the box to power a header home from an Oswin Appollis cross.
The warriors would equalize once again in the 74th minute. Maswanhise’s effort was parried away by South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, only to strike defender Aubrey Modiba and bounce back into the empty net for the leveller.
With the game hanging in the balance and Zimbabwe pushing everyone forward, the decisive moment arrived in the 82nd minute.
South Africa were awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul in the box. Oswin Appollis stepped up and showed nerves of steel, slotting the ball past Washington Arubi to make it 3-2.
Despite a frantic final ten minutes of Zimbabwean pressure, Ronwen Williams and his defense held firm to see out the result.
The victory moves South Africa to 6 points, confirming one of the automatic spots in the Round of 16. For Zimbabwe, the defeat marks a heartbreaking end to their campaign, as they finish bottom of Group B with one point.
Bafana Bafana will now wait to discover their Round of 16 opponent, likely to be the runner-up of Group F.
Elsewhere Egypt played out a 0-0 stalemate against Angola at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir.
The Pharaohs, who had already secured qualification, opted to rotate their squad, leaving majority of their key starters on the bench.
Zimbabwe vs South Africa Lineups
South Africa Starting Lineup
Ronwen Williams,Khuliso Mudau,Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi,Aubrey Modiba,Teboho, Mokoena,Sphephelo Sithole, Oswin Appollis,Sipho Mbule, Tshepang Moremi,Lyle Foster.
Zimbabwe Starting 11
Washington Arubi,Brendan Galloway,Gerald Takwara,Munashe Garan’anga,Divine Lunga, Marvelous Nakamba,Jonah Fabisch,Bill Antonio,Daniel Msendami,Tawanda Maswanhise,Prince Dube