South Africa edge Zimbabwe 3-2 to book AFCON 2025 knockout place

In Marrakech, South Africa defeated Zimbabwe 3-2 in the final ten minutes of the competition to claim second place in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations. Oswin Appollis scored a penalty in the closing ten minutes to send their southern African rivals out of the competition.

South Africa finished with six points in the group, one point behind Egypt, who won on Monday. ⁠

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As both of those teams advance to the last 16, Angola will finish in third place and will have to wait patiently to see if that qualifies as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Tshepang Moremi’s first international goal and the team’s three goals, as well as Lyle Foster and Appollis’ strikes, gave South Africa the lead. However, Hugo Broos, the coach, will be concerned about how defensively conservative his side was occasionally.

Zimbabwe should have won at least a draw thanks to Tawanda Maswanhise’s excellent first equalizer.

South Africa, who finished third in the Ivory Coast two years ago and is now qualified for the 2026 World Cup, has not yet entered the top gear and has sometimes been squelched by Zimbabwe.

After seven minutes, Moremi’s shot sailed past Divine Lunga in a deflection that was deflection-heavy and slammed into the net.

In the 19th minute, Zimbabwe responded with a goal that will go down as one of the best of the tournament as Maswanhise danced past two defenders and drilled a low shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams from 35 yards out.

However, South Africa regained control five minutes after the break when Foster was given the opportunity to sneak in front and nod the ball into the net with a back header from Lunga to keeper Washington Arubi.

Williams saved Maswanhise’s low shot in the 73rd minute, but the ball deflected off Modiba and into the net for an own goal.

With 10 minutes left, South Africa were awarded a penalty thanks to midfielder Marvelous Nakamba’s diving save and handling of a shot that appeared to be going wide.

Zimbabwe’s chances of reaching the knockout stages on its sixth attempt were ruined by Appollis’ spot conversion.

Egypt rested all of their key players on Monday, but they managed to maintain their unbeaten run at AFCON 2025, drawing 10-0 with Angola to close their Group B campaign with seven points.

Before kickoff, Egypt already had the honor of having made 11 changes from their 1-0 victory over South Africa, giving them the opportunity to play alongside Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

With two points, Angola will only advance if Comoros and Zambia lose in Group A on Monday and Tanzania and Uganda lose in their final Group C games on Tuesday.

On Monday, Angola had the better chance to win the match against Egypt, with Chico Banza’s 42nd-minute effort coming in close.

He held off two defenders in a quick one-two with fellow forward Mabululu before firing his effort past the post.

After forcing a brave save from Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir moments before the break, Mabululu had two shots on goal, and captain Fredy immediately shaved the outside of the post with a free kick.

In the 80th minute, M’bala Nzola, who had a run on goal, hit the sidenett while Manuel Benson’s last-minute free kick soared over.

Hossam Abdelmaguid had a chance to score from close range with a spectacular overhead kick, but he headed over the crossbar with the help of France-based Mostafa Mohamed as Egypt’s captain.

Ahmed Zizo, who was substituted in a strong position, had the opportunity to win the opener in the second half, but his chances were thwarted.