Bafana Bafana Break Opening Jinx with Win over Angola

South Africa’s AFCON 2025 campaign is officially underway, and for the first time in over two decades, Bafana Bafana have started the tournament with three points! In a pulse-pounding Group B opener at the Stade de Marrakech, Hugo Broos’ men survived a massive scare to edge past a resilient Angola 2-1.

Match Overview: A Tale of Two Halves

The game was an emotional rollercoaster from the first whistle. South Africa looked like they might run away with it early on, but the "Palancas Negras" proved exactly why they are one of Africa's most dangerous underdogs.

• The Breakthrough (21'): After some sustained pressure, Oswin Appollis showed why he’s a rising star, slotting a neat finish into the bottom corner to give SA a deserved 1-0 lead.

• The Setback (35'): The defensive frailty coach Broos warned about resurfaced briefly. Angola’s Show capitalised on a set-piece delivery from Fredy, flicking it past Ronwen Williams to level the score before the break.

• The VAR Drama (51'): Just after halftime, substitute Tshepang Moremi thought he had restored the lead with a brilliant strike, but a VAR review silenced the travelling fans, ruling Lyle Foster offside in the buildup.

• The Moment of Magic (79'): Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Lyle Foster, despite having a quiet game by his standards, unleashed a world-class curling effort from 20 yards out that flew into the top corner, securing the win and ending South Africa's "opening match curse."

Game Snapshot: RSA 2 - 1 ANG

While the win is massive, it wasn't perfect. Ronwen Williams was forced into several "titanic" saves to keep Bafana in the game, proving that the defence still relies heavily on his brilliance. However, showing the grit to find a late winner is exactly what was missing in previous campaigns.

What’s Next?

South Africa now sits at the top of Group B. Their next test is the "Big One"—a high-stakes clash against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt on Friday, December 26th.

How did the rest of group B perform?

It was a dramatic opening night for Group B! Just hours after Bafana Bafana secured their 2-1 win over Angola, Egypt matched that exact scoreline in a heart-stopping encounter against Zimbabwe.

Here is how the table looks and what it means for South Africa's path forward:

Group B Standings (After Matchday 1)

The Egypt vs. Zimbabwe Recap

Egypt’s victory was anything but easy. Zimbabwe’s Prince Dube stunned the Pharaohs with a 20th-minute opener, and the Warriors held that lead until well into the second half.

• The Comeback: Omar Marmoush finally equalised in the 64th minute.

• The Heartbreak: Just as Zimbabwe looked set to claim a famous point, Mohamed Salah struck a 91st-minute winner to save Egypt’s blushes.

The Impact on Bafana Bafana

The fact that both favourites won means the upcoming "Boxing Day Clash" is essentially a battle for the top spot.

1. Direct Qualification: A win against Egypt on December 26th would mathematically guarantee South Africa a spot in the Round of 16 with a game to spare.

2. The Draw Benefit: If South Africa draws against Egypt, they remain in a very strong position. Since the four best 3rd-place teams also advance, reaching 4 points usually ensures progression.

3. The "Goal Machine" Threat: While South Africa struggled to "kill off" Angola until the 79th minute, Egypt showed they can score late. Bafana's defence will need to be perfect for all 90+ minutes to stop Salah and Marmoush.

Next Match Alert

• Fixture: Egypt vs. South Africa

• Date: Friday, December 26, 2025 (Boxing Day)

• Time: 17:00 SAST

• Venue: Le Grand Stade d'Agadir