Oswin Appollis scored a late penalty to seal a dramatic 3-2 win for South Africa over Zimbabwe on Monday, booking Bafana Bafana a place in the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The victory, achieved in Marrakesh, means South Africa finish second in Group B with six points. They will now wait until Wednesday to find out their round-of-16 opponents, who are likely to be defending champions Côte d’Ivoire or five-time winners Cameroon.
Egypt topped the group with seven points after playing out a goalless draw with Angola, having already secured qualification and rested key players including captain Mohamed Salah. Angola finished third with two points and still have a chance of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams, while Zimbabwe ended bottom with one point.
South Africa started the match brightly and nearly took an early lead when Appollis fired a low shot in the sixth minute that Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi just managed to stop on the goal line.
Moments later, Bafana Bafana went ahead through Tshepang Moremi. The young attacker struck a shot from outside the box that took a deflection and looped over the experienced Arubi into the net.
Zimbabwe responded well and drew level in the 19th minute thanks to a brilliant solo effort from Tawanda Maswanhise. The Motherwell midfielder won the ball in South Africa’s half, beat two defenders and calmly placed his shot beyond goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Zimbabwe continued to push forward and were unlucky not to score again when Munashe Garananga headed over from close range following a free kick.
South Africa came out strongly after the break and restored their lead in the 50th minute. Burnley striker Lyle Foster chased down a loose back pass, outjumped Arubi and nodded the ball into the net for his second goal of the tournament.
Maswanhise remained a constant threat and came close to scoring again when his effort from the edge of the box struck the post.
Zimbabwe eventually equalised in the 73rd minute after sustained pressure. A long pass found Maswanhise, whose shot was saved by Williams, but the rebound deflected off defender Aubrey Modiba and rolled into the net for an own goal.
The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute when South Africa were awarded a penalty. Appollis stepped up confidently and converted from the spot, giving Bafana Bafana the lead for the third time.
South Africa held firm in the closing minutes to secure all three points and confirm their place in the AFCON last 16.
