South Africa advance with Egypt as Zimbabwe, Angola exit in AFCON Group B

South Africa have secured qualification for the round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging Zimbabwe 3-2 in a dramatic Group B finale in Marrakech on Monday.

The victory ensures Bafana Bafana finish second in the group with six points, while Egypt top the standings with seven following a goalless draw against Angola in the day’s other fixture.

Zimbabwe and Angola are consequently eliminated from the tournament.

South Africa now progress to the knockout phase alongside the Pharaohs.

Fast start, swift response

Bafana Bafana wasted no time asserting themselves, taking the lead inside five minutes when Tshepang Moremi’s early effort was deflected beyond the Zimbabwe goalkeeper.

Zimbabwe responded with composure in the 19th minute, Tawanda Maswanhise produced a fine individual run before firing a low shot into the corner to restore parity and settle his side into the contest.

Errors and own goal raise the stakes

The match remained finely balanced until shortly after the restart, when a defensive mix-up between a Zimbabwe defender and goalkeeper gifted Lyle Foster the chance to nod home in the 50th minute, giving South Africa a 2-1 advantage and Foster his second goal of the tournament.

Zimbabwe again showed resilience and were level once more in the 74th minute, albeit through fortuitous circumstances, as South Africa defender Aubrey Modiba diverted the ball into his own net.

Late penalty seals qualification

With the match heading towards a nervy conclusion, the decisive moment arrived eight minutes from time.

Zimbabwe midfielder Marvelous Nakamba was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to point to the spot.

Oswin Appollis kept his composure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to convert the penalty and restore South Africa’s lead at 3-2.

Despite late pressure from Zimbabwe, Bafana Bafana held firm to see out the result and confirm their place in the knockout stages.

Group B final picture

The result leaves South Africa second in Group B on six points, behind Egypt on seven.

Zimbabwe and Angola bow out of AFCON 2025 after failing to pick up enough points to advance, bringing their tournament campaigns to an end.