Bafana Battle Past Zimbabwe To Reach AFCON Knockout Stages
Bafana Bafana battled their way into the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout stages after edging Zimbabwe 3-2 in a tense and nervy final Group B match in Marrakech on Monday.
It was not a polished performance, but South Africa will not mind, having achieved their primary objective of reaching the knockout stages for the second consecutive tournament. However, they will need to improve significantly in the next round, where tougher opposition awaits—possibly tournament hosts Morocco.
The encounter marked the second meeting between South Africa and Zimbabwe in three months, following their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium in October. On that occasion, Bafana Bafana, needing a win to strengthen their qualification hopes, were held to a frustrating goalless draw. This time, South Africa were determined to ensure a different outcome.
Notably, it was the first-ever meeting between the two sides at the AFCON finals, despite their frequent clashes in qualifiers and regional competitions such as the COSAFA Cup.
South Africa made a positive start. Tshepang Moremi’s effort took a heavy deflection off Divine Lunga, wrong-footing goalkeeper Washington Arubi to give Bafana an early lead in the fifth minute. It was exactly what South Africa needed, knowing the equation was simple heading into the match.
However, Motherwell winger Tawanda Maswanhise responded for Zimbabwe in the 19th minute, twisting past Mbekezeli Mbokazi before unleashing a thunderous strike that beat Ronwen Williams to level the score.
The goal left Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie and the fans looking puzzled in the stands. Shortly thereafter, Aubrey Modiba broke down the flank and delivered a teasing cross into the box, but Sphephelo Sithole’s header lacked power and was easily gathered by Arubi.
Sipho Mbule then tried his luck from range, forcing Arubi into a solid save as the veteran goalkeeper Arubi reacted well to keep the scores level.
With the match tied at halftime, the situation was mirrored in the other Group B fixture between Angola and Egypt. As things stood, Bafana Bafana were second in the group with four points, three behind leaders Egypt.
Before the second half, coach Hugo Broos made a tactical change, replacing Sithole with Bathusi Aubaas in search of greater physical presence in midfield.
Bafana regained the lead five minutes after the restart when Lyle Foster scored his second goal of the tournament. The Burnley striker reacted quickest to a headed clearance from Lunga, rising high to beat Arubi and restore South Africa’s advantage.
Oswin Appollis then combined well with Foster and fired a snapshot at goal, but Arubi was alert at his near post. In the 64th minute, Maswanhise nearly struck again for Zimbabwe, unleashing a powerful effort that clipped the outside of the right post.
Mbule later latched onto a precise pass on the edge of the box and unleashed a fierce strike toward the left post, but once again Arubi was equal to the task.
Zimbabwe found another equaliser when Modiba inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, setting up a dramatic finish.
The drama intensified when Mohau Nkota fired a shot from the edge of the area that struck a defender’s hand inside the box. After consulting VAR, referee Mustapha Kechchaf pointed to the penalty spot.
Appollis kept his composure to convert the spot kick and seal a crucial 3-2 victory for South Africa.
The win confirmed Bafana Bafana’s place in the knockout stages and marked the first time since 2002 that South Africa have progressed beyond the group stage at AFCON in back-to-back tournaments.
