Bafana Bafana have achieved their minimum requirement of getting of the group stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) despite a nervy 3-2 win over stubborn Zimbabwe at Marrakesh Stadium on Monday. Another hard-fought win to go with their opening 2-1 victory against Angola last Monday saw Hugo Broos’ team end second in Group B on six points to Egypt’s seven, as the Pharaohs ended with a 1-1 draw agiuanst Palancas Negras in Rabat. The result secured via goals by Tshepang Moremi (seventh minute), Lyle Foster (50th) and Oswin Appollis’ VAR-oringinated penalty (82nd) sees South Africa play whoever finishes second in Group F between Cameroon or Ivory Coast in the last 16 in Rabat on Sunday.
Angola ended third on two points and unfortunate Zimbabwe, who played in three tight contests and pushed South Africa all the way in a final Group B contest of swinging fortunes where they equalised twice, took last place with one. 🏆 𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟝 🏆⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Oswin Appollis has restored Bafana Bafana’s lead from the spot following a VAR intervention!🇿🇼 2⃣➖3⃣ 🇿🇦🚨 LIVE📺 SABC 2🌐https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025#ItsGameOnEverywherepic.twitter.com/F7UXv5TwAY Bafana coach Hugo Broos is going to ask for more from his players against powerhouses like Cameroon or Ivory Coast, because this was a far from convincing performance. He will be happy to have time to the last 16 clash because from a less-than-convincing group stage performance overall, there is much to iron out.
This was the third time in this tournament where Bafana failed to keep a clean sheet and this will be a concern for Broos and his coaching staff. But Broos will be happy key players Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Foster and Sphephelo Sithole finished Monday’s match without suspensions as they were on yellow cards. 🏆 𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟝 🏆⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Zimbabwe have bounced back once again!🇿🇼 2⃣➖2⃣ 🇿🇦🚨 LIVE📺 SABC 2🌐https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025#ItsGameOnEverywherepic.twitter.com/556obDDUpi Broos started with one change from the team that lost 1-0 to Egypt on Friday with playmaker Sipho Mbule replacing Thalente Mbatha in midfield.
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Mbule’s job was to provide much-needed creativity and unlock the Zimbabwean defence playing in front of cemtral midfielder Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole, but he was again not at his best. Bafana lacked control in midfield, struggling against Daniel Msendani, Marvelous Nakamba and Jonah. This led to attackers Moremi, Appollis and Foster being in and out of the match.
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