Meanwhile, the second-team Egyptian team maintained its undefeated record with a scoreless draw against Angola.
Published December 29, 2025
Oswin Apolis scored a penalty in the 10th minute of the final as South Africa beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in Marrakech, clinching second place in Group B of the African Cup of Nations and knocking South Africa’s rivals out of the soccer tournament.
After Monday’s match, South Africa finished in their group with six points, one behind winners Egypt.
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Both of these teams will advance to the last 16, as Angola will finish in third place, but face an uncertain situation to see if that will be enough for them as one of the top four teams in third place.
South Africa took the lead three times in the match thanks to Tshepang Moremi’s first international goal and goals from Lyle Foster and Apolis. However, manager Hugo Bruce will be concerned about how open his side were at the back at times.
They should have at least gotten a draw after Tawanda Maswanhise scored a superb opening equalizer for Zimbabwe and they missed several other chances, but they benefited from an own goal from Aubrey Modiba.
South Africa, who qualified for the 2026 World Cup by finishing third in Ivory Coast two years ago, have yet to reach top gear in the tournament and were pulled apart all too easily by Zimbabwe.
Seven minutes later, Moremi’s shot deflected off Devine Lunga and into the net, giving South Africa the lead.
Zimbabwe responded in the 19th minute with one of the best goals of the tournament, when Maswanhise picked up the ball 35 yards out, evaded two defenders and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
However, five minutes after the break, South Africa were back in front, and Lunga’s back header found keeper Washington Albi and Foster was ahead to slot the ball into the net.
Zimbabwe were level again in the 73rd minute when Maswanhise’s low shot was saved by Williams, but the ball went off Modiba and into the net for an own goal.
South Africa were awarded a penalty with 10 minutes remaining, but midfielder Marvelous Nakamba made a goalkeeper-like diving save to dispose of a shot that appeared to go wide.
Apolis scored from the spot and Zimbabwe’s hopes of advancing to the finals were dashed on their sixth attempt.
Elsewhere on Monday, Egypt remained unbeaten in AFCON 2025 despite resting all of their key players, finishing Group B with seven points after a 0-0 draw with Angola.
Egypt had already secured top spot in their group before kick-off and had the luxury of making 11 changes from Friday’s 1-0 win over South Africa, giving the likes of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush a day off.
Angola’s two points mean there is an uneasy wait for Angola, who will only advance if Comoros and Zambia lose in Group A later on Monday and Tanzania and Uganda lose their final Group C games on Tuesday.
Angola had a chance of winning against Egypt on Monday, and Chico Banza’s 42nd-minute goal was the closest they came to it.
He played a quick one-two with fellow forward Mabulul, keeping two defenders at bay, but his shot went over the post.
Mabrul had two shots on goal and forced a sharp save from Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubeir minutes before the start of the second half before captain Freddie curled a free-kick past the outside of the post.
Substitute Mbala Nzola tried to score in the 80th minute, but Manuel Benson’s last-minute free kick went over the target and into the side netting.
France-based striker Mostafa Mohamed, who captained Egypt, created a chance in the 20th minute with a brilliant overhead kick from a corner, giving Hossam Abdelmaguid a chance to score from close range, but his head went over the crossbar.
Substitute Ahmed Zizo also had a chance to open the scoring in the second half, but was thwarted while in a good position.
Egypt will remain in Agadir next Monday for a match against the third-placed powerhouse in the last 16.
