South Africa’s Bafana Bafana began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a positive note, defeating fellow southern African rivals Angola 2–1 at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday night.
The win gave the South African senior men’s national team an early boost in Group B, underlining their intent to challenge strongly in a tournament that once again brings together the continent’s top footballing nations.
Oswin Appollis gave Bafana the lead in the 21st minute, unleashing a fine strike that beat Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques. Angola responded with determination, and Show Cafumana drew his side level in the 35th minute to ensure the teams went into the break on equal terms.
The second half saw a more assertive South African performance. Coach Hugo Broos introduced Tshepang Moremi at the restart, a tactical move that injected pace and urgency into Bafana’s attack. Moremi immediately troubled the Angolan defence and appeared to have put South Africa back in front in the 51st minute, only for the goal to be ruled offside following a VAR review.
Bafana’s persistence eventually paid off in the 79th minute when Lyle Foster, later named Man of the Match, produced a composed finish to restore South Africa’s lead and secure all three points.
Reflecting on the performance, Broos praised his side’s second-half intensity and the impact of his substitutions.
“We corrected some things at halftime, and Moremi gave us very good service,” Broos said. “He was quick, aggressive and caused problems for the Angolan defence. We also put more pressure on our opponents and created chances. Unfortunately, the offside decision went against us, but the response from the team was good.”
The result leaves South Africa well placed in Group B ahead of a high-profile clash against Egypt on Friday. Angola will meanwhile look to regroup when they face Zimbabwe in the group’s other fixture.
