South Africa’s Bafana Bafana have booked their ticket to the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in their final Group B clash.
Hugo Broos’ men knew only a win would secure safe passage, and they wasted no time setting the tone. Tsepang Moremi struck early, calming nerves across the South African camp. But the Warriors refused to bow quietly—capitalising on defensive lapses to level the score in the 19th minute.
The rollercoaster continued. Lyle Foster restored Bafana’s lead, only for disaster to strike when Aubrey Modiba inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Suddenly, the match became a frantic tug-of-war, both sides desperate to snatch the golden ticket to the round of 16.
With tension at fever pitch, Oswin Appollis stepped up in the dying minutes. His coolly taken penalty sealed the win, sending South Africa through and sparking celebrations that echoed far beyond the stadium.
Who’s next for Bafana?
By finishing second in Group B, Bafana Bafana now await the runners-up from Group F—one of Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, or Mozambique. The showdown is set for January 4 in Rabat, but the identity of their opponent will only be revealed once Group F concludes on Wednesday night.
This achievement marks back-to-back qualifications for the last 16, a feat not seen since their golden run in 2000. In the previous edition, South Africa impressed with a third-place finish, reigniting belief in their continental pedigree.
Meanwhile, Egypt topped Group B after a goalless draw with Angola, leaving Bafana with the luxury of extra rest days before Sunday’s clash. That recovery time could prove crucial as Broos’ side sharpen their focus for the next challenge.