In the meantime, a second-string Egypt aspect maintains their unbeaten document in goalless draw with Angola.
Printed On 29 Dec 2025
Oswin Appollis scored a penalty within the remaining 10 minutes handy South Africa a 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in Marrakesh and seal second spot in Group B on the Africa Cup of Nations, dumping their southern African rivals out of the event.
After the match on Monday, South Africa completed with six factors within the group, one behind winners Egypt.
Really helpful Tales
checklist of 4 objectsfinish of checklist
Each of these advance to the final 16 as Angola end in third and face an anxious wait to see if that’s sufficient as one of many 4 greatest third-placed sides.
South Africa led three occasions within the recreation because of a primary worldwide aim from Tshepang Moremi, in addition to strikes from Lyle Foster and Appollis, however coach Hugo Broos will be involved by how open his aspect have been at occasions on the again.
Tawanda Maswanhise scored a superb first equaliser for Zimbabwe and in addition they profited from an Aubrey Modiba personal aim as they missed a number of different probabilities and will have earned not less than a draw.
South Africa, who completed third within the Ivory Coast two years in the past and have certified for the 2026 World Cup, have but to hit high gear within the event, and have been lower aside far too simply by Zimbabwe at occasions.
The South Africans led after seven minutes as Moremi’s shot took a depraved deflection off Divine Lunga and looped into the web.
Zimbabwe hit again within the nineteenth minute with a aim that may go down as the most effective of the event as Maswanhise picked up the ball 35 yards out and danced previous two defenders earlier than drilling a low shot previous goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
However South Africa have been again in entrance 5 minutes after the break when Lunga’s again header to keeper Washington Arubi allowed Foster to sneak in forward and nod the ball into the web.
Zimbabwe equalised once more within the 73rd minute as Maswanhise’s low shot was saved by Williams, however the ball deflected onto Modiba and into the web for an personal aim.
South Africa have been awarded a penalty with 10 minutes remaining when midfielder Marvelous Nakamba made a goalkeeper-style diving save and dealt with a shot that seemed to be going extensive.
Appollis transformed from the spot and Zimbabwe’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout phases on the sixth try have been dashed.
Elsewhere on Monday, Egypt rested all their key gamers however nonetheless stored up their unbeaten run at AFCON 2025, drawing 0-0 with Angola to complete their Group B marketing campaign on seven factors.
Egypt had already confirmed high spot within the group earlier than kickoff, permitting them the posh of constructing 11 modifications from their 1-0 win over South Africa on Friday, and giving gamers like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush the day without work.
Angola’s two-point haul means they’ve an anxious wait and can solely advance if Comoros and Zambia lose in Group A afterward Monday and Tanzania and Uganda are crushed of their final Group C matches on Tuesday.
Angola had the higher of the probabilities to win the sport in opposition to Egypt on Monday with Chico Banza’s Forty second-minute effort coming closest.
He performed a fast one-two with fellow ahead Mabululu and held off two defenders however put his effort previous the submit.
Mabululu had two photographs on aim and captain Fredy shaved the surface of the submit with a free kick early within the second half, after forcing a pointy save from Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir minutes earlier than the break.
Substitute Mbala Nzola had a run on aim in the eightieth minute however hit the aspect netting whereas a last-minute free kick from Manuel Benson went crusing over.
French-based striker Mostafa Mohamed captained Egypt and arrange a Twentieth-minute alternative with a spectacular overhead kick from a nook that provided Hossam Abdelmaguid an opportunity to attain from shut vary, however he headed over the crossbar.
Substitute Ahmed Zizo might even have claimed the opener within the second half however was thwarted whereas in an excellent place.
Egypt will keep in Agadir for his or her last-16 conflict in opposition to the most effective third-placed finishers subsequent Monday
