South Africa’s defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi jumps over South Africa’s goalkeeper Ricardo Goss during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Zimbabwe and South Africa at Marrakesh Stadium in Marrakesh on December 29, 2025
Oswin Appollis converted a late penalty to hand South Africa a dramatic 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night in Marrakesh, sealing Bafana Bafana’s qualification for the knockout stage.
South Africa will now wait until Wednesday to learn their opponents in Sunday’s round of 16 clash, with defending champions Ivory Coast or five-time winners Cameroon the most likely contenders.
Elsewhere in Group B, Egypt topped the standings with seven points after playing out a 0-0 draw with Angola in Agadir. South Africa finished second with six points, while Angola ended with two and Zimbabwe one. Angola could still progress as one of the tournament’s four best third-placed teams.
In Marrakesh, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe was among a small but vocal crowd that witnessed an action-packed encounter between the southern African rivals.
South Africa nearly took the lead inside six minutes when Appollis fired a low shot that Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi gathered just before it crossed the line. Moments later, however, Bafana Bafana broke the deadlock.
A sweeping move across the edge of the penalty area found Tshepang Moremi, whose shot took a deflection off Divine Lunga and looped over the 40-year-old Arubi to make it 1-0.
Zimbabwe responded strongly and deservedly equalised in the 19th minute through Tawanda Maswanhise of Scottish Premiership side Motherwell. The midfielder collected the ball inside South Africa’s half, dribbled past two defenders, and curled a fine finish beyond goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The equaliser unsettled South Africa, who were fortunate not to concede again before the break. Zimbabwe defender Munashe Garananga headed over from close range after a dangerous free-kick delivery, while South African frustrations flared as Sipho Mbule, already on a yellow card, argued with the referee just before half-time.
Bafana Bafana started the second half on the front foot and reclaimed the lead in the 50th minute through Burnley striker Lyle Foster. The Premier League forward capitalised on a slow back pass, raced past Arubi, and nodded the ball into the net for his second goal of the tournament.
Maswanhise continued to torment the South African defence and came close to scoring again midway through the second half when his curling effort struck the post.
Zimbabwe finally drew level on 73 minutes in fortuitous fashion. A long pass from substitute Tawanda Chirewa released Maswanhise, whose shot was parried by Williams before rebounding off Aubrey Modiba and into the net for an own goal.
The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute when South Africa were awarded a penalty, which Appollis calmly converted to give Bafana Bafana the lead for the third time. They held firm in the closing stages to secure a vital win and a place in the AFCON last 16.
