AFCON 2025: Bafana Bafana Edge Angola In Dramatic Group B Opener
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
South Africa kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory over regional rivals Angola in an entertaining Group B clash at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday.
Bafana Bafana started the encounter on the front foot, dominating possession and dictating the tempo in the early stages. Their pressure paid off in the 17th minute when Oswin Appollis broke the deadlock with a moment of composure and skill.
The winger pounced on a loose clearance inside the penalty area, showed quick feet to deceive the Angolan defence with a couple of feints, and calmly steered a low, angled shot past goalkeeper Hugo Marques to give South Africa a deserved lead.
Angola, however, responded positively and grew into the game as the first half progressed. Their persistence was rewarded in the 34th minute when Show found the back of the net to draw his side level, setting up a tense contest heading into the break.
The second half saw South Africa regain control and push forward in search of a winner.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi came agonisingly close when his effort crashed against the crossbar, while Lyle Foster thought he had restored the lead only for his goal to be ruled out for offside.
Foster would not be denied for long.
With 11 minutes remaining, the striker finally made his mark, finishing clinically to restore South Africa’s advantage and seal all three points.
The hard-fought win gives South Africa a positive start to their AFCON 2025 campaign as they look to build momentum in Group B.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
