Burnley forward Lyle Foster struck in the 79th minute to hand South Africa a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Angola in Marrakesh on Monday, as Bafana Bafana finally won their opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 21 years.
The result marked a significant moment for South Africa, whose previous opening-game win at the tournament dated back to their 2004 triumph over Benin, after which they endured a run of two draws and four defeats in subsequent editions.
The Group B encounter unfolded in three clear phases. South Africa began brightly and asserted early dominance, with Oswin Appollis putting them ahead in the 21st minute before a modest crowd in the near-42,000-capacity stadium. Angola responded by seizing control of the latter part of the first half, eventually drawing level, before South Africa regrouped after the break and pushed on to secure the decisive goal through Foster.
Bafana Bafana pressed aggressively from the outset, although it was their goalkeeper Ronwen Williams who was first called into action. On 15 minutes, Williams reacted sharply to push away a goal-bound effort from his opposite number and fellow captain, Fredy Ribeiro. Six minutes later, South Africa’s early pressure paid off. Appollis capitalised on a Khuliso Mudau cross, winning possession and guiding a low shot beyond 39-year-old Angolan goalkeeper Hugo Marques into the corner.
Williams was again instrumental as the match approached the half-hour mark, producing an outstanding point-blank save to deny Gelson Dala’s header. Angola, however, were growing into the game, and their equaliser arrived after 35 minutes. Siyabonga Ngezana escaped a booking for a foul on Dala, but the resulting free-kick proved costly. The ball was driven low into the South African penalty area, where Show met it and steered it neatly into the corner.
Tensions rose as the half wore on, with the Sudanese referee cautioning Angola’s To Carneiro and South Africa’s Aubrey Modiba and Sphephelo Sithole. By the time the teams headed into the dressing rooms, Angola coach Patrice Beaumelle could feel aggrieved that his side were not leading after finishing the half strongly.
South Africa thought they had restored their advantage six minutes into the second half when substitute Tshepang Moremi, introduced for the subdued Mohau Nkota, fired home from close range. Celebrations were short-lived, however, as a VAR review ruled that Foster, the only South African player in the squad from Europe’s top five leagues, had been marginally offside in the build-up.
Undeterred, Bafana Bafana continued to apply pressure. Centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi surged forward from defence and unleashed a long-range effort that beat Marques but crashed back off the crossbar. South Africa were now firmly on the front foot, repeatedly driving forward in search of a winner.
A swift counterattack later saw Moremi burst past his marker and square the ball for Foster, who wasted the opportunity by sending his shot over the bar. The striker made amends with 11 minutes of normal time remaining, firing in from the edge of the box to give Marques no chance and restore South Africa’s lead. The goal, Foster’s fourth in six matches, came after a sharp interception and two crisp passes that opened up the Angolan defence.
South Africa managed the closing stages to seal maximum points and begin their AFCON journey on a winning note, finally putting an end to their long-standing opening-match drought at the tournament.
What you should know
South Africa’s 2-1 win over Angola is significant not only for the three points but also because it ends a 21-year wait for an opening-game victory at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The match highlighted South Africa’s resilience, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams playing a crucial role and Lyle Foster emerging as the match-winner.
After surrendering momentum late in the first half, Bafana Bafana showed improved composure and attacking intent after the break, underlining their ambition to compete strongly in Group B and beyond.
