AFCON 2025: Bafana Bafana Book Place in Last 16 After Defeating Zimbabwe
- Bafana Bafana have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 after defeating Zimbabwe in their last group game on Monday evening
- South Africa needed to avoid defeat against the Warriors, but they ended up securing all three points to finish second behind Egypt in Group B
- Zimbabwe gave Hugo Broos' side a tough time in the game, but Bafana Bafana were up to the task as they held on to victory in the closing stages
South Africa has secured a place in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Zimbabwe 3–2 in their last group game at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday, 29 December 2025.
Source: Getty Images
Goals from Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis delivered the victory for Bafana Bafana, with the Warriors’ goals coming from Tawanda Maswanhise and an own goal from Aubrey Modiba.
Despite a controversial 1–0 loss to Egypt in their second group match, reportedly involving disputed refereeing decisions, Bafana Bafana secured a spot in the Round of 16 by finishing with six points from two wins in the group stage.
Bafana Bafana defeat Zimbabwe
Coach Hugo Broos made a single change to the side that lost to Egypt, reinstating Sipho Mbule in place of his Orlando Pirates teammate Thalente Mbatha. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, were forced to cope without key defender Teenage Hadebe, who sustained an injury during Friday’s draw against Angola.
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South Africa made an ideal start to the contest as a slick passing sequence culminated in Moremi receiving a ball from Foster and firing an effort that took a deflection past goalkeeper Washington Arubi to break the deadlock in the eighth minute.
Despite South Africa’s early control, Zimbabwe struck back against the run of play in the 19th minute, with Maswanhise evading challenges from Sphephelo Sithole and Mbekezeli Mbokazi before driving a precise finish into the far corner.
The Warriors came close to taking the lead roughly ten minutes later when a well-delivered free-kick from Jonah Fabisch picked out Munashe Garananga, but the defender’s header sailed over the bar despite goalkeeper Ronwen Williams being beaten.
Bafana Bafana continued to dominate possession for the rest of the first half, with Teboho Mokoena and Mbule dictating play from midfield, yet a lack of composure in the final third allowed Zimbabwe to repel every delivery into the penalty area.
Just five minutes into the second half, Foster punished the Warriors’ advanced defensive line, calmly finishing past the charging Arubi to restore South Africa’s lead.
Maswanhise came close to equalising when his strike hit the post in the 64th minute. The Motherwell forward remained a constant threat and eventually forced the breakthrough in the 74th minute, as Ronwen Williams’ attempt to clear his effort deflected off Aubrey Modiba and into the net for an own goal.
Bafana Bafana regained the advantage eight minutes from time, with Appollis—who also scored in South Africa’s win over Angola—calmly dispatching a penalty after Marvellous Nakamba was penalised for handling the ball inside the area.
Source: Getty Images
South Africa will now advance to the Round of 16 as the runner-up and are waiting for their next opponent to be confirmed.
VAR expert gives verdict on penalty calls
Briefly News also reported that a former FIFA referee and VAR instructor shared details about the penalty incidents in South Africa's defeat against Egypt.
The former FIFA referee explained the rules in a post on his official social media account after the match.
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Source: Briefly News
