South Africa’s quest for their first Africa Cup of Nations title in three decades got off to a dream start on Monday night, December 22, 2025.
In an absorbing Group B opener at the Stade de Marrakech, Bafana Bafana secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Angola, marking the first time in 21 years that they have won their opening match of the tournament.
The hero of the night was Burnley forward Lyle Foster, whose stunning late strike settled a game that hung in the balance until the final ten minutes.
The Match: A Tale of Resilience
Hugo Broos’ side entered the tournament as bronze medalists from the previous edition, and they showed that pedigree early on.
The Breakthrough (21'): After an evenly contested opening, Oswin Appollis broke the deadlock. Following sustained possession and a cross from Khuliso Mudau, Appollis showed quick feet inside the box to beat two defenders and slot a low shot into the bottom corner.
The Angolan Response (35'): The Palancas Negras didn't shrink under the pressure. On his 50th appearance for his country, midfielder Show (Manuel LuÃs) pounced on a low free-kick from Fredy to steer the ball past Ronwen Williams and level the score before halftime.
VAR Drama (51'): South Africa thought they had regained the lead early in the second half when halftime substitute Tshepang Moremi fired home. However, a lengthy VAR review ruled the goal out for a marginal offside against Lyle Foster in the buildup.
The Decisive Moment
As the match entered the final stretch, Bafana Bafana's persistence finally paid off.
Lyle Foster (79'): Receiving a neat lay-off from Moremi about 20 yards out, Foster took one touch to set himself and unleashed a magnificent, curling right-footed shot that flew into the top corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any game and sent the South African dugout into delirium.
"We have waited a long time to start a tournament like this," Hugo Broos said post-match. "Lyle showed his class today, but the whole team showed the 'well-oiled machine' mentality we have been building. We take these three points, but the work is just beginning."
What's Next for Bafana Bafana?
The victory puts South Africa in a strong position to reach the knockout stages, but the schedule only gets tougher from here.
Key Upcoming Fixtures:
December 26: vs. Egypt (Agadir) – A massive clash for top spot in the group.
December 30: vs. Zimbabwe (Marrakech) – The final group stage hurdle.
The Verdict: While it was a "workmanlike" performance at times, the individual brilliance of Lyle Foster and the shot-stopping of Ronwen Williams have given South Africa the perfect platform.