South Africa secured a place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Zimbabwe in Marrakech, taking second spot in Group B behind Egypt. Hugo Broos’ squad entered the match needing a response following defeat to the Pharaohs and did exactly that in a clash punctuated by momentum shifts and defensive mishaps. Zimbabwe, who finished bottom of the group, were eliminated for the sixth time without progressing beyond the first round.
South Africa secured a place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Zimbabwe in Marrakech, taking second spot in Group B behind Egypt. Hugo Broos’ squad entered the match needing a response following defeat to the Pharaohs and did exactly that in a clash punctuated by momentum shifts and defensive mishaps. Zimbabwe, who finished bottom of the group, were eliminated for the sixth time without progressing beyond the first round.
Bafana Bafana got off to the ideal start when Tshepang Moremi’s effort ricocheted off Divine Lunga, looping beyond a wrong-footed Washington Arubi. Their neighbours soon responded thanks to Tawanda Maswanhise, whose dazzling run and low drive drew level with one of the most eye-catching goals of the competition. Egypt’s earlier stalemate with Angola meant the equation was simple for South Africa: victory guaranteed continuation, and they chased it with purpose.
The second period opened at full throttle. Burnley forward Lyle Foster capitalised on uncertainty at the back, reacting quickest to a misguided backward header and flicking past Arubi to restore the lead. With two goals in the group stage, the striker again demonstrated his knack for punishing defensive confusion.
Zimbabwe’s triple change brought renewed energy. Their effort paid off when Ronwen Williams’ stop ricocheted off teammate Aubrey Modiba and, cruelly, into the South African net. At 2-2, tension rose, but fortune turned in Bafana Bafana’s favour following a VAR check, with Marvelous Nakamba penalised for handling. Substitute Oswin Appollis confidently dispatched the penalty, sealing all three points.
This encounter was defined by individual battles rather than territorial control. South Africa’s midfield pairing of Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena repeatedly attempted to shift the ball forward at speed, seeking to stretch Zimbabwe’s rearguard. Their attacking trio remained bold and quick to test Arubi, whose decision-making under pressure proved costly.
Zimbabwe, despite lacking injured talisman Knowledge Musona, showed ambition throughout. Mario Marinica’s team refused to retreat into a low block and consistently attempted to build attacking moves. Maswanhise in particular offered pace and flair, troubling markers with his footwork. Nakamba anchored the centre with determination, though his combative style contributed to moments of indiscipline, including the incident that led to the decisive spot-kick.
Errors shaped the scoreline. Arubi’s hesitation for Foster’s header and Nakamba’s ill-judged leap haunted the Warriors, who also lacked a clinical finisher to match their endeavour. For South Africa, Williams demonstrated calm organisation from the back, yet questions remain over the protection ahead of him after two avoidable concessions.
South Africa advances to meet the second-placed team from Group F — potentially Ivory Coast, Cameroon, or Mozambique — in Rabat on Sunday (19:00 GMT). With six points from three fixtures and a proven ability to recover from setbacks, Broos’ men aim to better their third-place finish from 2023.
Zimbabwe’s sixth AFCON campaign ends once again before the knockouts. Despite flashes of courage and creativity, familiar issues — lack of cohesion, defensive lapses, and absence of finishing power — curtailed any progress. Marinica now faces the task of developing a side capable of combining intensity with composure on major stages.
