Star Speaks After Appollis’ Cool-Headed Penalty Sends Bafana into AFCON Last 16
South Africa have booked their place in the AFCON 2025 round of 16, edging Zimbabwe 3–2 in a tense Group B decider to set up a knockout clash with Cameroon national football team. Bafana Bafana showed resilience to regain the lead twice before holding their nerve when it mattered most, sealing qualification and keeping their tournament hopes alive.
The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute, when Oswin Appollis coolly converted a penalty. Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi later admitted he was outwitted, revealing Appollis changed his decision at the last second to send him the wrong way and effectively end the Warriors’ AFCON campaign.
Arubi has conceded that Oswin Appollis outsmarted him with the decisive penalty that sent Bafana Bafana into the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa clinched a dramatic 3–2 win over Zimbabwe national football team on Monday night, sealing qualification and ending the Warriors’ AFCON 2025 campaign.
Bafana twice went in front — first when Tshepang Moremi’s seventh-minute effort deflected into the net, and again early in the second half through Lyle Foster in the 50th minute. Zimbabwe showed resilience to level on both occasions.
The turning point arrived in the 82nd minute. Appollis stayed calm from the spot, sending Arubi the wrong way to convert a match-winning penalty that ultimately knocked Zimbabwe out of the tournament.
Reflecting on the moment, Arubi admitted he had been read by the Bafana star.
“He was a bit clever because I know him. He doesn’t usually put the ball there — I think he changed in the last seconds,” Arubi said after the match.
“He was clever and it worked for him, but next time I will get him. We still have a fight.”
The win ensures South Africa march on to the knockout phase, while Zimbabwe depart AFCON with heads held high after a spirited group campaign.