Africa Cup Of Nations | Monday December 29 | Group B
- South Africa 3-2 Zimbabwe
- Egypt 0-0 Angola
South Africa’s strange hold on their rivalry with Zimbabwe held firm once again as Bafana Bafana booked a place in the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a gripping 3–2 win in Marrakech on Monday evening.
With everything on the line in the final Group B match at Marrakech Stadium on December 29, South Africa showed composure when it mattered most.
Oswin Appollis was the calmest man in the ground in the 82nd minute, rolling home a penalty that proved decisive and sparked wild celebrations among the green and gold faithful.
Bafana Bafana had started brightly, Tshepang Moremi firing them ahead to seize early control of the often-heated “Limpopo Derby.”
But Zimbabwe, fighting to keep their AFCON hopes alive, refused to fade. Their response before halftime brought an equaliser through Tawanda Maswanhise and ensured the contest stayed on a knife edge.
The second half was frantic and physical, true to the rivalry. Zimbabwe pushed hard and threatened an upset, but South Africa’s tournament experience told in the key moments.
Lyle Foster took advantage of a double mistake in Zimbabwe’s defense and fired the ball into the net to make it 2–1 before an own goal leveled matters for Zimbabwe again.
Appollis’ penalty restored the lead for good, sealing a thrilling victory in a match that swung relentlessly from end to end.
The result also echoed history. Though separated by just 225 kilometres along the Limpopo River, the two sides have built a fierce rivalry, one that South Africa have increasingly mastered.
This win extended Bafana Bafana’s unbeaten run against Zimbabwe to over a decade and strengthened their overall head to head edge.
South Africa finished second in Group B with six points, one behind leaders Egypt, to move into the knockout rounds.
On Zimbabwe’s side, the defeat was heartbreaking, leaving them bottom of the group on one point and ending their AFCON campaign.
