Monday, December 22
*South Africa 2-1 Angola
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with an impressive 2-1 win over Angola in a Group B match at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
Oswin Appolis and Lyle Foster were on target for the Bafana Bafana while Manuel ‘Show’ Luis had equalised for the Black Sable Antelopes.
Appolis who plays his club football woth Orlando Pirates, fired in the opener after 20 minutes, with his effort far beyond Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques’ reach.
But Show leveled matters for Angola in the 34th minute with a simple flick off a well delivered freekick by Alfredo ‘Fredy’ Kulembe Ribeiro.
Foster who earlier had a goal ruled out for offside, got the winner in the 79th minute, with the Burnley forward firing in from outside the box!
Its an impressive start for Bafana Bafana who will hope to build on their third place finish in Ivory Coast 2023.
Hugo Broos’ side however, will have to first negotiate a group that also has Egypt and Zimbabwe.
FACT – Bafana Bafana who won the title in 1996, have won the opening match of the AFCON tourney for the first time since 2004, after six failed attempts!
Players Used
South Africa – Ronwen Williams, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Siyabonga Ngezana, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Yaya Sithole, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Lyle Foster, Sipho Mbule.
Angola – Hugo Marques, Kialonda Gaspar, Jonathan Buatu, Clinton Mata, Show, Maestro, Fredy, Tó Carneiro, Zito Luvumbo, M’Bala Nzola, Gelson Dala