Zimbabwe 2-3 South Africa: Report, result and goals as Bafana Bafana seal progress

South Africa clinched their place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with a thrilling 3-2 win over Zimbabwe.

Bafana Bafana only needed a point to secure their spot in the knockout rounds, but were made to work hard by neighbours Zimbabwe in Marrakech.

Oswin Appollis’ 82nd-minute penalty made sure of victory for South Africa, but only after a significant scare from Zimbabwe. 

South Africa book place in last 16

South Africa needed just seven minutes to break the deadlock, Tshepang Moremi finding the net with a heavily deflected effort that looped over stricken goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Yet Zimbabwe levelled 12 minutes later, Tawanda Maswanhise firing into the bottom-left corner after a fine run into the box.

South Africa restored their advantage five minutes into the second half, Lyle Foster pouncing on a defensive error as he beat Arubi to a loose ball to head home.

Appollis was then denied by Arubi, before Maswanhise clipped the post at the other end.

Yet Zimbabwe were gifted a lifeline in their hopes of progression when Aubrey Modiba put through his own net 17 minutes from the end of normal time.

But they could not complete the turnaround and, after Marvelous Nakamba was ruled to have handled in the area following a VAR review, Appollis converted from 12 yards to seal the points and second spot in Group B behind Egypt. Zimbabwe join Angola in exiting the tournament.