South Africa Claim Early AFCON Statement With Win Over Angola
South Africa national football team launched their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a positive note, edging Angola national football team 2–1 in a lively Group B encounter at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday night.
South Africa struck first through the in-form Oswin Appollis, who rifled home a precise left-footed effort in the 21st minute to cap a confident opening spell. Angola responded before the break when Show Cafumana equalised in the 35th minute, capitalising on a deflection from a wide free kick to restore parity.
The second half belonged largely to Bafana Bafana. Coach Hugo Broos changed the tempo by introducing Tshepang Moremi at the restart. The winger’s pace and directness immediately unsettled the Angolan back line, and he even found the net in the 51st minute before VAR ruled the effort narrowly offside.
South Africa kept pressing and were finally rewarded in the 79th minute when Lyle Foster, later named Man of the Match, curled a composed finish beyond Hugo Marques to seal the victory. The goal ended a six-match winless run against Angola and placed Bafana alongside Egypt at the top of Group B after the opening round.
Broos praised his side’s second-half intensity, highlighting the improved aggression and movement that shifted the balance of the contest.
Bafana Bafana next face Egypt national football team on Friday in a crucial Group B showdown, while Angola look to rebound against Zimbabwe national football team.
Other AFCON 2025 Results (Matchday 2)
Egypt 2–1 Zimbabwe (Agadir)
Mali 1–1 Zambia (Casablanca)
Group A Standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| Mali | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Zambia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Comoros | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 |
Group B Standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| Angola | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 |