South Africa edge Zimbabwe 3-2 to reach AFCON last 16

South Africa booked their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-2 win over Zimbabwe in a Group B match at Marrakesh Stadium on Monday.

Goals from Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis saw Bafana Bafana finish second in the group behind Egypt and advance to the knockout stage, where they will face the Group F runners-up in Rabat on Sunday, 4 January.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, ended bottom of the group and were eliminated at the group stage once again.

South Africa struck early when Moremi’s effort in the seventh minute deflected off Divine Lunga and beat goalkeeper Washington Arubi. Zimbabwe responded through Tawanda Maswanhise, who levelled in the 19th minute with a low finish after a strong individual run.

Lyle Foster restored South Africa’s lead five minutes into the second half, capitalising on a defensive error to head into an empty net. Zimbabwe equalised again in the 74th minute when Maswanhise’s saved shot rebounded off Aubrey Modiba for an own goal.

The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute after Marvelous Nakamba was penalised for handball following a VAR review. Appollis converted the resulting penalty to secure the win as South Africa held off late pressure.