Lyle Foster’s match-winning 79th-minute strike allowed South Africa to win first opening match at AFCON since 2004.
Published On 22 Dec 2025
Lyle Foster scored a superb winner from outside the box as South Africa defeated Angola 2-1 in Africa Cup of Nations Group B in Marrakesh on Monday, the first time they have won their opening match at the continental finals in 21 years.
South Africa also had a goal disallowed and struck the crossbar, just about deserving the nervy victory. Angola also had chances and will be disappointed not to have gotten something from the game.
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South Africa took the lead on 21 minutes when Oswin Appollis showed neat footwork in the box to work a shooting chance and put the ball in the bottom corner. But Angola equalised before the break as Show got a touch to Fredy’s free kick to steer the ball into the net.
The winning moment came after 79 minutes, when Foster was teed up 20 yards out and curled his shot into the top corner to give the bronze medallists from two years ago a positive start to their campaign.
It was a workmanlike performance from South Africa, who do not have the plethora of players in top European leagues that their tournament rivals enjoy, with Foster their only one at Premier League Burnley.
But they are a well-oiled machine under Belgian coach Hugo Broos and did enough for a victory that set them well on course for the knockout rounds. Egypt and Zimbabwe will meet later on Monday in the same pool.
Even first half
South Africa took the lead after a period of sustained possession that led to Khuliso Mudau’s cross, which was touched by both Sipho Mbule and Foster before Appollis beat two defenders and si