Why South Africa’s Goal Was Disallowed After Offside in the Build-Up

• Bafana Bafana kicked off their AFCON 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Angola, showing strong control and determination on the field
• Controversy arose when South Africa’s second goal was ruled out due to an offside in the build-up, sparking debate among fans and analysts
• Midfielder Tshepang Moremi impressed with his performance, providing a key moment in the match and earning widespread praise on social media despite the disallowed goal
• Briefly News spoke exclusively to football journalist Mandla Biyela who weighed in on the issue of the disallowed goal

Bafana Bafana started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Angola at Stade Marrakech on Monday, 22 December. The match, however, was not without controversy, as one of South Africa’s goals was disallowed in the second half.

South Africa came into this encounter buoyed by strong recent form, including a win over Ghana in an international friendly in Soweto last week. Their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification success had also boosted morale in the squad ahead of this year’s tournament. Angola, the Palancas Negras, posed a formidable challenge, but coach Hugo Broos’s side managed to control the pace of the game, cutting through the midfield and creating scoring opportunities.

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Disallowed goal stirs debate after Moremi strike

At a point in the game when the score was tied 1-1, Tshepang Moremi thought he had put Bafana Bafana ahead with a second goal in the 51st minute. However, after a VAR review, it was determined that South Africa’s number 8 was in an offside position, and the referee disallowed the goal. Despite the setback, Bafana continued to press for a second goal, though the official’s decision stood.

Fans praise Tshepang Moremi despite offside

Online reactions to Moremi’s performance were overwhelmingly positive:

@innoboy04:

''He is lethal yeses."

@KKhanye69849:

''Yey who is he?? I love him!!"

@PA_LE_HO:

''I've been looking for a comment showing appreciation for Moremi and this is the one. Yes offside, but that was a beautiful goal from him and the pass to set up the second goal. Yup, I like this boy."

@ThatAlienGuy_:

''The boy deserved a goal ey. 🔥"

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@QabaQitala101:

''Me too."

@BetsPunder:

''He changed the game."

@Nathi_6989:

''What a player – his goal disallowed then provided an assist."

@Given_Jkeggs:

''He’s a gem 🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽."

@BantuEconomy:

''This guy knows how to play ball! Everything changed when he got in! I love players who play ball when they’re on the ground!"

Bafana Bafana’s next match will be on Friday, 26 December, against Egypt. In another fixture of Group B played on Monday as well, Zimbabwe succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Egypt. Despite the Warriors taking an early lead in the first half through a Prince Dube strike, English Premier League stars Liverpool's Mo Salah and Mnchester City's Omar Marmoush proved to be the difference as they scored for the former African champions.

Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, football journalist Mandla Biyela weighed in on the controversial decision to disallow Tshepang Moremi’s second-half strike, describing it as one of the key talking points of the match.

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“This is one of those decisions that sits in a grey area,” Biyela said.

“Yes, the offside call comes from the build-up, but the margins are extremely fine. In real time, it looks like a well-timed run and a clean finish.”

Biyela added that while VAR applied the law correctly, the frustration from players and supporters was understandable given the impact of the moment.

“South Africa were on top when that goal went in. It changed the emotional temperature of the game. Even when the decision is technically correct, it doesn’t always feel fair to the football.”

He concluded by praising Moremi’s response after the setback.

“What impressed me most is that Moremi didn’t disappear after that. He stayed brave on the ball and kept demanding it. That’s the sign of a player with a strong mentality.”

Mo Salah’s unsettled Liverpool future could challenge Bafana

Briefly News previously reported that Bafana Bafana will encounter a challenging Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco.

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Football analyst Mandla Biyela believes Mohamed Salah’s uncertain future at Liverpool could become an unexpected headache for South Africa.

Source: Briefly News