Lyle Foster picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, looked up, and unleashed a rocket into the top corner. The Burnley striker’s moment of brilliance in the 79th minute sealed a hard-fought 2-1 victory for South Africa over Angola in their AFCON 2025 opener at the Stade de Marrakech.
It was the kind of goal that wins tournaments. And for Bafana Bafana, who reached the semi-finals two years ago in Ivory Coast, it was the perfect start to their campaign in Morocco.
But this was no easy victory. South Africa had to dig deep against an Angola side that refused to go away. The Palancas Negras matched their opponents for large parts of the match and will feel they deserved at least a point.
Appollis Opens the Scoring
South Africa started brightly. In the second minute, Angola striker Gelson Dala rose above the defense to meet a cross, but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a crucial save to keep the scores level.
Williams, the Bafana Bafana captain, was called into action again shortly after when Fredy tested him with a shot from inside the box. The goalkeeper was equal to it, diving to his right to push the ball away.
But in the 20th minute, South Africa took the lead through Oswin Appollis. The Orlando Pirates winger arrived at the right moment inside the box and drilled a right-footed shot past Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques. It was a clinical finish from a player who has become one of the most exciting talents in South African football.
Appollis had been quiet for the opening stages, but he showed exactly why coach Hugo Broos rates him so highly with a composed finish when the chance arrived.
Show Levels for Angola
The lead lasted just 14 minutes. In the 34th minute, Angola won a free kick in a dangerous position. Fredy, the team captain, whipped the ball into the box, and Show got the faintest of touches to divert it past Williams.
It was a well-worked set piece and a deserved equalizer for Angola, who had created several chances before falling behind. Coach Patrice Beaumelle punched the air in celebration on the touchline.
The first half ended 1-1, and it was anyone’s game.
VAR Denies Moremi
South Africa came out after the break with renewed energy. Coach Broos had made a change at halftime, bringing on Tshepang Moremi, and the substitute almost made an immediate impact.
Shortly after the restart, Moremi cut inside from the left and unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner. The South African players celebrated wildly, thinking they had retaken the lead.
But the celebrations were cut short. VAR intervened and ruled that Moremi had received the ball in an offside position. The goal was disallowed, and the scores remained level.
It was a cruel blow for South Africa, but they continued to push forward.
Mbokazi Hits the Crossbar
As the second half wore on, South Africa came agonizingly close to scoring again. Mbekizeli Mbokazi, who will join Chicago Fire after the tournament, stepped up and let fly from long range. His shot cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.
Angola were hanging on. South Africa were piling on the pressure. Something had to give.
Foster Delivers the Winner
With 11 minutes remaining, the breakthrough finally came. Moremi, who had earlier seen his goal disallowed, picked up the ball and found Foster on the edge of the box.
The Burnley striker did not need a second invitation. He took one touch to set himself, then curled a beautiful right-footed shot into the top corner. Marques had no chance. It was a stunning strike from a player who has struggled for form at club level but showed his quality on the international stage.
Foster wheeled away in celebration as the South African fans inside the stadium erupted. It was the goal that won the match and sent Bafana Bafana to the top of Group B.
What This Means Going Forward
South Africa now face Egypt in their next match on Friday in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter. Both teams won their openers 2-1, setting up a top-of-the-table clash that could decide who finishes first in the group.
For Angola, this defeat is a setback but not a disaster. They played well for long stretches and will fancy their chances against Zimbabwe in their next match.
The 2023 bronze medalists are up and running. Foster’s wonder goal has given them the perfect platform to build on. But tougher tests await.
