Bafana Bafana kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with
a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a determined Angola side at the Stade de
Marrakech on Monday.
Head coach Hugo Broos recalled captain Ronwen Williams, Lyle Foster, Sipho
Sithole, Siyabonga Ngezana, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi to the starting lineup,
while Angola were led by former Cape Town City goalkeeper Hugo Marques.
South Africa began brightly, controlling possession through Sipho Mbule and
Teboho Mokoena. The pressure told in the 20th minute when a Khuliso Mudau
cross deflected to Oswin Appollis, who coolly slotted home for his first
international goal.
Angola, however, refused to be subdued. They grew into the game and found a
deserved equalizer ten minutes before halftime, with Show marking his 50th
cap with a clever near-post flick that beat Williams.
The decisive moment came from the bench. Broos introduced Tshepang Moremi at
halftime, and the substitute electrified Bafana’s attack. He thought he had
scored six minutes into the second half, only for VAR to rule it out for
offside. Undeterred, Moremi turned provider in the 78th minute, combining
superbly with Lyle Foster, who curled a stunning finish into the top corner.
Angola pressed for a late equalizer, but a resolute South African defense,
marshaled by Ngezana and Mbokazi, held firm to secure three crucial points.
The victory places Bafana Bafana in a strong early position in Group D ahead
of their next, heavyweight clash against Egypt on Friday afternoon.
Lineups:
South Africa: Williams (c); Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena,
Sithole, Mbule; Appollis, Foster, Nkota.
Subs used: Moremi (for Nkota, 46′).
Angola: Marques (c); Gaspar, Buatu, Mata; Fredy, Maestro, Show, To Carniero;
Luvumbo, Nzola, Gelson Dala.
