South Africa had to sweat for it, but a 3-2 win over Zimbabwe in Marrakech delivered exactly what major tournaments promise: chaos, courage, and a moment that turns a group on its head. In a game loaded with twists — early goals, an own goal, VAR checks, and a penalty deep into stoppage time — Bafana Bafana punched their ticket to the Round of 16 at TotalEnergies AFCON 2025.

It took patience and nerve. It also took a little luck. And on this night, South Africa used all three.

Derby drama in Group B: goals, own goals, and a VAR sting

This Southern African derby started at full speed. Inside seven minutes, Tshepang Moremi broke the deadlock. His shot took a wicked touch off the Zimbabwe defense and wrong-footed the goalkeeper. As the broadcast put it, it was “horrendous luck for the goalkeeper,” and there was truly nothing he could do.

Zimbabwe were not rattled. At 19 minutes, Tawanda Maswanhise produced a moment of real class to make it 1-1 — a goal struck out of nothing, hit with confidence and precision. From there, the pattern was set: punch, counterpunch, and not a breath to spare.

“That was a wild one — three swings, and South Africa landed last. Fair.”

Foster restores control, then a twist from an own goal

Staying calm, South Africa tried to pass and probe. Their patience paid off when Lyle Foster steered them back in front. The move came from neat combination play, the kind that pulls a defense apart. The commentary nailed it: South Africa were “patient… possessing the ball” before the final, simple finish.

But again the game refused to settle. Zimbabwe fought for territory and pressure, and they got their reward from a cruel break for South Africa — an own goal that dragged the score back to 2-2. It summed up the night: every time one side looked safe, a mistake or deflection flipped the mood.

Inside the key moments: margins that matter

There were signs, even before the late drama, that South Africa were edging the details. Around the 40-minute mark, Khuliso Mudau drew a dangerous free kick, and moments later Sphephelo Sithole forced a smart save with a firm header after an Aubrey Modiba delivery. These are the little moments that build pressure. They did not bring a goal then, but they kept Zimbabwe on the back foot.

Zimbabwe, for their part, came with energy and changes. The Warriors made four adjustments to their lineup, with familiar names — Washington Arubi in goal, Marvelous Nakamba anchoring midfield, and the lively Maswanhise up front — giving them shape and a platform. They also turned to the bench, with options like Tawanda Chirewa available to chase the game late.

“If Foster keeps getting that service, Bafana can go deep in Morocco.”

VAR, Appollis, and a 90’+9 finish for the ages

As the clock ticked into added time, one more big call was coming. A coming together in the box sent the referee to the screen. After a VAR review, the decision was clear: penalty to South Africa. Up stepped Oswin Appollis, cool and calm. He slotted it home for 3-2 deep into stoppage time — his second goal at AFCON 2025 — and the green shirts on the pitch and in the stands exploded.

By the time the board showed 90’+9, the story was written. South Africa had navigated the nerves and the noise, and found a way. Zimbabwe had pushed them to the limit. The difference? One composed kick from twelve yards and a team that kept believing.

“VAR, nerves, and Appollis’ ice — that’s tournament football in one scene.”

What the result means for Group B and the Round of 16

After two games each in Group B, the table reads: Egypt 6 points (+2 GD), South Africa 3 points (0 GD), Angola 1, and Zimbabwe 1. The math and tiebreakers point to what matters most tonight: South Africa advance to the Round of 16. The path was not clean, but knockout football rarely rewards the pretty over the brave.

For Zimbabwe, there is pride in the performance. They created, they pressed, and they had the equalizers to show for it. Maswanhise’s strike, in particular, will live long in memory. But the small margins — an unlucky deflection early on, and the late penalty — cut deep.

How Bafana Bafana got it done

There was a clear blueprint from South Africa: stay compact, use the ball, and wait for the chance to slip runners like Foster and Moremi into gaps. When the tempo slowed, they mixed it with set-piece pressure. When Zimbabwe surged, they absorbed and countered.

The attack also showed variety. Moremi’s opener was about speed and fortune. Foster’s finish was about patience and timing. Appollis’ winner was about courage. Earlier this year, South Africa also reminded everyone of their punch with a 4-1 win over Namibia, a day when they scored all four. This team can score in different ways, and that matters in Morocco.

Names to circle as the knockouts begin

• Oswin Appollis: Late-game nerve. Two goals at AFCON 2025 already.
• Lyle Foster: Movement and link play keep defenders honest; his goal turned the tide.
• Tshepang Moremi: The early strike that set the tone, even if aided by a deflection.
• Tawanda Maswanhise (Zimbabwe): A standout moment and constant threat between lines.
• Washington Arubi (Zimbabwe): Dealt with wicked deflections and made key stops under pressure.

Final whistle: why this win matters

Tournaments are about belief as much as form. South Africa showed both. They handled the swings, leaned on their structure, and found heroes at the right times. The Stade de Marrakech felt every beat of it — the gasp at the VAR check, the roar when the net bulged, and the long exhale at 90’+9.

Next comes the harder part: the knockouts. But if this game proved anything, it’s that Bafana Bafana have the tools — and the temperament — to survive the tense minutes that define AFCON. The margin for error shrinks now. The story, though, keeps getting better.