Bafana Bafana began their Group B campaign on a winning note at the Stade de Marrakech, edging Angola in an entertaining AFCON 2025 encounter to end a 21-year wait for an opening-match victory at the tournament, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
South Africa started brightly and nearly went ahead in the 11th minute when Nkota picked out Lyle Foster inside the box, but Angola goalkeeper Marques well saved the forward’s header. At the other end, Ronwen Williams produced a fine diving save in the 15th minute to deny Angola from close range.
The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute. Oswin Appollis capitalised on good work by Foster inside the area, firing home to give Bafana Bafana the lead.
Angola responded strongly and were rewarded in the 35th minute when Show produced a delicate finish to beat Williams and restore parity. The first half ended 1–1, with both sides evenly matched.
South Africa thought they had regained the lead shortly after the restart when substitute Tshepang Moremi scored with his first touch in the 51st minute, but celebrations were cut short as VAR ruled the goal out, with Foster adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.
Bafana continued to press and came agonisingly close in the 58th minute when Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s powerful strike crashed off the crossbar.
The decisive moment finally came in the 79th minute. Lyle Foster, making amends for his earlier offside involvement, curled a superb effort into the far corner to restore South Africa’s lead.
Angola pushed for a late equaliser, with Mabululu going close in the 89th minute, but Bafana Bafana held firm to secure a historic victory.
The win marks South Africa’s first AFCON opening-match triumph in 21 years, providing a major boost to their Group B ambitions.
Uche Dozie