Oswin Appollis converted a late penalty as South Africa edged Zimbabwe 3–2 in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations Group B encounter in Marrakesh on Monday to secure qualification for the knockout stage.
Gatekeepers News reports that Bafana Bafana will discover their round-of-16 opponents on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s tie, with defending champions Ivory Coast or five-time winners Cameroon the most likely candidates.
South Africa finished second in the group with six points, behind Egypt, who topped the standings with seven after a 0–0 draw against Angola in Agadir. Angola placed third with two points and could still qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams, while Zimbabwe finished bottom with one point.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe was among the small but lively crowd in Marrakesh as South Africa made a fast start.
Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi was fortunate in the sixth minute, reacting just in time to prevent a low Appollis shot from crossing the line. A minute later, however, South Africa took the lead through Tshepang Moremi.
The ball was worked across the edge of the penalty area to the rising star, whose shot deflected off Divine Lunga and looped over the 40-year-old Arubi into the net.
Zimbabwe responded strongly and were rewarded in the 19th minute with a fine equaliser from Motherwell winger Tawanda Maswanhise. The attacker won possession inside the South African half, beat two defenders and calmly fired past captain Ronwen Williams into the far corner.
The goal unsettled South Africa, who were fortunate not to concede again when Munashe Garananga headed over from close range after a free-kick was floated into the box.
Frustration crept into Bafana Bafana’s play before half-time, with Sipho Mbule — already on a yellow card — risking further punishment after arguing with the Moroccan referee.
South Africa again began the second half on the front foot and regained the lead five minutes after the restart through Burnley striker Lyle Foster. The Premier League forward chased a headed back pass, outjumped a hesitant Arubi and nodded the ball into the net for his second goal of the tournament.
Maswanhise continued to trouble the South African defence and struck the post midway through the second half with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
Zimbabwe eventually drew level in the 73rd minute when Aubrey Modiba turned the ball into his own net. A long pass from substitute Tawanda Chirewa found Maswanhise, whose shot was parried by Williams before rebounding off Modiba and crossing the line.
The decisive moment came eight minutes later when Appollis calmly dispatched an 82nd-minute penalty to restore South Africa’s lead for the third time. Bafana Bafana held on to seal a dramatic victory and book their place in the last 16.
AFP
