Marrakech: South Africa secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in their Group B clash at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, courtesy of a late penalty from Oswin Appollis.
The win confirmed Bafana Bafana’s second-place finish in the group and eliminated Zimbabwe from the tournament.
South Africa raced ahead three times in an entertaining contest. Tshepang Moremi opened the scoring with his first international goal, followed by a strike from Lyle Foster.
However, Zimbabwe fought back, with Tawanda Maswanhise scoring a spectacular long-range equaliser and an Aubrey Modiba own goal briefly restoring parity.
Despite South Africa’s defensive lapses, the team held their nerve when awarded a penalty in the 80th minute. Appollis converted from the spot, ensuring victory and ending Zimbabwe’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.
South Africa finished the group stage with six points, one behind winners Egypt. Both teams progress to the last 16, while Angola, with two points, will await confirmation of whether they qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams.
South Africa, who finished third at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast and have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, will now prepare for the knockout rounds with renewed confidence, despite defensive issues highlighted during the match.
