Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 0746 EAT on Tuesday 23 December 2025

Lyle Foster scored a superb late winner from outside the penalty area as South Africa edged Angola 2–1 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener in Marrakesh on Monday, marking their first victory in an opening match at the continental finals in 21 years.

South Africa had a goal disallowed and also struck the crossbar, doing enough overall to merit a tense win. Angola created several chances of their own and will be disappointed not to have taken at least a point from the match.

South Africa took the lead in the 21st minute when Oswin Appollis showed neat footwork inside the box to create space for a shot, which he guided into the bottom corner. Angola equalised before the break after Show got a touch on Fredy’s free kick to divert the ball into the net.

The decisive moment came in the 79th minute, when Foster was teed up from around 20 metres out and curled a fine strike into the top corner, giving the bronze medallists from two years ago a positive start to their campaign.

It was a workmanlike display from South Africa, who lack the depth of players based in top European leagues enjoyed by some of their rivals, with Foster their only representative in the Premier League at Burnley.

However, they remain a well-drilled side under Belgian coach Hugo Broos and did enough to secure a win that puts them on course for the knockout stages. Egypt and Zimbabwe meet later on Monday in the same group.

South Africa took the lead following a sustained spell of possession, which culminated in Khuliso Mudau’s cross. The ball was glanced by Sipho Mbule and Lyle Foster before Oswin Appollis beat two defenders and side-footed into the bottom corner.

Angola equalised in the 35th minute when Fredy’s low free kick was diverted into the bottom corner by Show, who scored his second goal in his 50th international appearance to send the teams in level at 1–1 at the break, according to Al Jazeera.

South Africa thought they had regained the lead early in the second half when substitute Tshepang Moremi turned his marker and fired low into the net, but a VAR review ruled the goal out after Lyle Foster was judged to be offside in the build-up.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi later struck the crossbar with a fierce effort from 35 metres before Foster’s clinical finish ultimately sealed all three points for South Africa.

In an earlier Group A match on Monday, Zambia came from behind to secure a 1–1 draw with Mali in Casablanca after Patson Daka scored a spectacular diving header deep into stoppage time, Al Jazeera reported.

Mali had appeared in control for much of the contest but were punished for retreating late on as Zambia mounted a final push. Daka soared to meet Mathews Banda’s curling cross, heading home two minutes into stoppage time.

Mali had taken the lead in the 62nd minute through Lassine Sinayoko, who capitalised on defensive errors after his strike partner El Bilal Touré had seen a first-half penalty saved.

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