Bafana Bafana Open AFCON 2025 Campaign With Hard-Fought Win Over Angola

Bafana Bafana made a confident start to their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 victory over Angola on Monday evening. The result gave South Africa early momentum in a competitive group and rewarded a composed performance at the Stade de Marrakech on 22 December 2025.

Head coach Hugo Broos recalled several key players who had missed the recent friendly against Ghana. Captain Ronwen Williams returned in goal, with Lyle Foster, Grant Sithole, Siyabonga Ngezana and Mbekezeli Mbokazi also restored to the starting line-up. Angola fielded a familiar figure for South African supporters, as former Cape Town City goalkeeper Hugo Marques captained the Palancas Negras.

South Africa asserted control from the opening minutes. Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena dictated play in midfield, ensuring Bafana spent long spells on the front foot. The first clear chance arrived in the 10th minute when Foster rose highest to meet a cross, forcing Marques into a sharp diving save.

The pressure told in the 20th minute. Khuliso Mudau delivered a dangerous cross that deflected into the path of Oswin Appollis. The winger showed composure with his first touch before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner. It was Appollis’ first international goal and a deserved reward for South Africa’s early dominance.

Angola responded with resilience and pace on the counterattack. M’Bala Nzola and Fredy stretched the South African defence, while Williams was called into action to deny Gelson Dala with a quick reflex save from a set piece. The Palancas Negras continued to push and found an equaliser ten minutes before the break. Show marked his 50th appearance for Angola with a clever near-post flick that beat Williams, bringing the sides level at halftime.

Broos acted decisively at the start of the second half, introducing Tshepang Moremi for Mohau Nkota. The substitution almost paid immediate dividends. Moremi finished clinically after receiving a pass from Mokoena, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside in the build-up.

The match maintained a high tempo as both teams searched for a winner. Mbokazi came close just after the hour mark with a powerful long-range effort that crashed against the crossbar. Angola threatened at the other end through Maestro, whose strike tested the South African defence.

The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute. Foster combined neatly with the impressive Moremi before curling a superb shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. The goal marked Foster’s tournament debut in style and restored Bafana’s lead at a crucial stage.

Angola committed numbers forward in the closing minutes, but South Africa defended with discipline. Ngezana and Mbokazi led the back line with authority, limiting clear chances and ensuring Williams was rarely troubled late on. The final whistle confirmed a valuable opening win for Broos’ side.

South Africa will return to action on Friday afternoon when they face Egypt, a fixture that promises to test their credentials further in the tournament.

South Africa starting line-up was Williams, Mbokazi, Ngezana, Mudau, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Mbule, Nkota, Appollis and Foster. Angola lined up with Hugo Marques, Buatu, Mata, K. Gaspar, Maestro, Nzola, Gelson Dala, To Carneiro, Fredy, Luvumbo and Show.

The victory places Bafana Bafana on a positive path early in AFCON 2025 and underlines their intent to compete deep into the tournament.