South Africa began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Angola in an absorbing Group B opener, extending Bafana Bafana’s unbeaten run to 12 matches (six wins, six draws).
Hugo Broos’ side were keen to lay down an early marker as title contenders against an Angolan team they had never previously lost to at AFCON. With both sides eager to impress, the contest got off to a frenetic start.
Teboho Mokoena’s speculative long-range effort narrowly cleared the crossbar, while Fredy’s stunning left-footed volley forced a fine save from Ronwen Williams.
South Africa eventually made the breakthrough in the 21st minute, when Oswin Appollis cut inside from the right and drilled an unstoppable right-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Despite taking the lead, Bafana Bafana remained under pressure, with Williams producing an unorthodox save to scoop away Gelson Dala’s header after being expertly picked out by a Fredy corner.
Angola’s persistence paid off soon after, as Show marked his 50th international appearance in style with a superb improvised sliding finish from Fredy’s free-kick, sending the teams into the break level.
South Africa introduced Tshepang Moremi at the start of the second half, and the substitute thought he had restored the lead within six minutes, firing a fine left-footed strike past Hugo Marques.
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However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR review, with Lyle Foster adjudged to have interfered from an offside position.
Undeterred, Mbekezeli Mbokazi came close with a ferocious strike that crashed off the crossbar, as Angola began to look rattled. The Red Devils remained a threat themselves, with Maestro going close as both sides pushed for a decisive goal.
South Africa eventually found the winner when Foster made amends for an earlier miss by curling a delightful effort beyond Marques to settle a keenly contested encounter in Marrakesh.
While it was not Foster’s most influential display, his moment of quality proved decisive, giving Broos’ men the perfect start ahead of their next Group B clash against seven-time champions Egypt on Boxing Day.
Angola, meanwhile, will feel aggrieved to come away empty-handed and will look to bounce back when they face Zimbabwe in their next group fixture.
