AFCON: Bafana Bafana hold off tricky Zimbabwe to advance

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana navigated past an inspired Zimbabwe side by a 3-2 score to advance to the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) out of Group B. With the loss, the Warriors are the first team to be officially eliminated from the competition in Morocco.

Oswin Appollis’ second half penalty kick secured the victory for South Africa. The regional rivals battled to an even first half but a determined Bafana Bafana advanced as Group B runners-up following a thrilling second half to secure the victory.

South Africa came out focused on controlling possession and seized the initiative to look more threatening in the early stages. The favorites were rewarded with good fortune in the 7th minute when in-form Orlando Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi’s cross took a dramatic deflection off defender Divine Lunga and looped out of reach of Warriors goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

The underdogs responded strongly after going behind and an outstanding individual effort by Tawanda Maswanhise restored parity in the 19th minute. Collecting a pass from Jonah Fabisch, the Motherwell forward surged past a couple of Bafana defenders before firing an excellent low shot past keeper Ronwen Williams.

With much still at stake, the situation remained tense with the teams level at halftime. But Zimbabwe were the ones to blink less than five minutes into the second half when Lunga’s attempt to head back to Arubi allowed Lyle Foster to beat the keeper to the ball and nod into the unguarded goal.

Warriors coach Mario Marinica attempted to fuel his side with a triple substitution at the hour mark. Shortly after, Maswanhise’s low shot hit the post but the first half goal scorer continued to make runs and when he had another opportunity his shot was saved by Williams. However, the ball incredibly bounced back off defender Aubrey Modiba and ricocheted past Williams for an own goal.

But South Africa had the last laugh when another defensive error doomed Zimbabwe to defeat. A shot attempt from Mohau Nkota saw Warriors midfielder Marvelous Nakamba block the ball with his hand. A VAR review confirmed the penalty kick and Appollis sent Arubi the wrong way for the match winner.

South Africa will face the runners-up from Group F in the Round of 16, which will take place on January 4 in Rabat. Cameroon appears to be their likely opponent with Mozambique and favorites Ivory Coast the other candidates to finish second in Group F.