South Africa 2-1 Angola: Report, result, goals as Foster goal wins AFCON 2025 match

Burnley forward Lyle Foster’s second-half strike earned South Africa victory over Angola as the sides opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group B campaign in Marrakech on Monday.

Half-time substitute Tshepang Moremi, who had earlier had a goal disallowed, teed up Foster’s curling finish from outside the box with 11 minutes remaining, restoring his side’s lead after Show – a pre-match doubt through illness – had pounced from winger Fredy’s left-wing cross to draw Angola level 10 minutes before the break.

Oswin Appollis put 2023 semi-finalists Bafana Bafana ahead in the 21st minute with a neat drive from inside the box.

Angola are next in action against Zimbabwe in Marrakech on Friday (12:30 GMT), with South Africa facing seven-time champions Egypt in Agadir on the same day (15:00).

Recommended offer

Review

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

Get Offer

#AD 18+ Registration Required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. GambleAware.org Time limits and T&Cs apply. T&Cs apply.

South Africa vs Angola: Foster goal decisive

Quarter-finalists two years ago, Angola had considerably more chances than South Africa before the break but were hanging on after two major second-half scares for Patrice Beaumelle’s side.

In an absorbing game between teams who frequently played eye-catching football and celebrated their goals euphorically, Moremi looked to have restored South Africa’s lead with a clever run and ruthless finish shortly after half-time, only for a Video Assistant Referee check to rule him marginally offside.

Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi then whacked the crossbar with a long-range shot for South Africa, who will hope to maintain the momentum they established during a transformed second-half display that was decorated with Foster’s thrilling winner.

South Africa team vs Angola

South Africa arrived at the tournament with a largely fit squad including captain Ronwen Williams, who started in goal.

Veteran midfielder Themba Zwane was omitted from the final squad in a decision based on selection and fitness considerations rather than injury.

South Africa starting XI: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Mohau Nkota, Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Oswin Appollis, Sipho Mbule, Lyle Foster

South Africa substitutes: Ricardo Goss, Tylon Smith, Khulumani Ndamane, Thalente Mbatha, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Elias Mokwana, Bathusi Aubaas, Sipho Chaine, Samukelo Kabini, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Evidence Makgopa, Shandre Campbell, Thabang Matuludi

Angola starting line-up vs South Africa

Angola were without forward Zine Salvador, who was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an injury at club level.

Midfielder Show started despite reportedly missing recent training sessions through illness.

Angola starting XI: Hugo Marques, Clinton Mata, Kialonda Gaspar, Jonathan Buatu, Zito Luvumbo, Fredy, Show, Maestro, To Carneiro, Gelson Dala, M’Bala Nzola

Angola substitutes: Neblu, Nurio Fortuna, David Carmo, Milson, Ary Papel, Signori Antonio, Manuel Benson, Beni, Randy Nteka, Mabululu, Manuel Keliano, Mario Balburdia, Rui Modesto, Chico Banza, Pedro Bondo

South Africa AFCON 2025 squad

Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Samukele Kabini (Molde), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers)

Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates)

Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq)

Angola AFCON 2025 squad

Goalkeepers: Neblu (Primero Agosto), Hugo Marques (Petro de Luanda), Dominique (Etoile Carouge).

Defenders: Rui Modesto (Udinese), Eddie Afonso (Petro de Luanda), To Carneiro (AS FAR), Nurio Fortuna (Volos FC), Pedro Bondo (Famalicao), David Carmo (Real Oviedo), Buatu (Gil Vicente), Gaspar (Lecce), Clinton Mata (Lyon).

Midfielders: Beni Mukendi (Victoria SC), Show (Kocaelispor), Fredy (Bodrumspor), Maestro (Alanyaspor), Manuel Keliano (Akhmat Grozny), Mario Balburdia (Boluspor).

Forwards: Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari), Manuel Benson (Swansea City), Milson (Crvena Zvezda), Chico Banza (Zamalek), Gelson Dala (Al Wakrah), Randy Nteka (Rayo Vallecano), Ary Papel (Al Akhdar), Mabululu (Al Ahli Tripoli), Mbala Nzola (Pisa), Zine (AEK Athens).

AFCON 2025: TV channel, live online stream

In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.

What are the host cities for AFCON 2025?

Agadir – Grand Stade d’Agadir (capacity – 41,144)

Casablanca – Complexe Sportif Mohammed V (45,000)

Fes – Complexe Sportif de Fes (35,468)

Marrakech – Grand Stade de Marrakech (41,245)

Rabat – Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (69,500)

Rabat – Stade Al Barid (18,000)

Rabat – Stade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (21,000)

Rabat – Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay EL Hassan (22,000)

Tangier – Grand Stade de Tanger (75,600)

We are within!!!#BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/FCBvKpWpHP

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 19, 2025

AFCON 2025 fixtures, full Africa Cup of Nations schedule

Sunday, December 21 2025

• Group A: Morocco 2-0 Comoros (Rabat)

Monday, December 22 2025

• Group A: Mali 1-1 Zambia (Casablanca)
• Group B: South Africa 2-1 Angola (Marrakech)
• Group B: Egypt vs Zimbabwe (Agadir, 20:00)

Tuesday, December 23 2025

• Group D: Senegal vs Botswana (Tangier, 12:30)
• Group D: DR Congo vs Benin (Rabat, 15:00)
• Group C: Nigeria vs Tanzania (Fes, 17:30)
• Group C: Tunisia vs Uganda (Rabat, 20:00)

Wednesday, December 24 2025

• Group E: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea (Casablanca, 12:30)
• Group E: Algeria vs Sudan (Rabat, 15:00)
• Group F: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique (Marrakech, 17:30)
• Group F: Cameroon vs Gabon (Agadir, 20:00)

Friday, December 26 2025

• Group B: Angola vs Zimbabwe (Marrakech, 12:30)
• Group B: Egypt vs South Africa (Agadir, 15:00)
• Group A: Zambia vs Comoros (Casablanca, 17:30)
• Group A: Morocco vs Mali (Rabat, 20:00)

Saturday, December 27 2025

• Group D: Benin vs Botswana (Rabat, 12:30)
• Group D: Senegal vs DR Congo (Tangier, 15:00)
• Group C: Uganda vs Tanzania (Rabat 3, 17:30)
• Group C: Nigeria vs Tunisia (Fes, 20:00)

Sunday, December 28 2025

• Group F: Gabon vs Mozambique (Agadir, 12:30)
• Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan (Casablanca, 15:00)
• Group E: Algeria vs Burkina Faso (Rabat, 17:30)
• Group F: Ivory Coast vs Cameroon, (Marrakech, 20:00)

Monday, December 29 2025

• Group B: Angola vs Egypt (Agadir, 16:00)
• Group B: Zimbabwe vs South Africa (Marrakech, 16:00)
• Group A: Comoros vs Mali (Casablanca, 19:00)
• Group A: Zambia vs Morocco (Rabat, 19:00)

Tuesday, December 30 2025

• Group C: Tanzania vs Tunisia (Rabat, 16:00)
• Group C: Uganda vs Nigeria (Fes, 16:00)
• Group D: Benin vs Senegal (Tangier, 19:00)
• Group D: Botswana vs DR Congo (Rabat, 19:00)

Wednesday, December 31 2025

• Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria (Rabat, 16:00)
• Group E: Sudan vs Burkina Faso (Casablanca, 16:00)
• Group F: Gabon vs Ivory Coast (Marrakech, 19:00)
• Group F: Mozambique vs Cameroon (Agadir, 19:00)

Africa Cup of Nations 2025 round of 16

Saturday, January 3 2026

• SR1: Group D winners vs Group B/E/F third-place (Tangier, 16:00)
• SR2: Group A runners-up vs Group C runners-up (Casablanca, 19:00)

Sunday, January 4

• SR3: Group A winners vs Group C/D/E third-place (Rabat, 16:00)
• SR4: Group B runners-up vs Group F runners-up (Rabat, 19:00)

Monday, January 5

• SR5: Group B winners vs Group A/C/D third-place (Agadir, 6pm)
• SR6: Group C winners vs Group A/B/F third-place (Fes, 8:30pm)

Tuesday, January 6

• SR7: Group E winners vs Group D runners-up (Rabat 2, 6pm)
• SR8: Group F winners vs Group E runners-up (Marrakech, 8:30pm)

Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-finals

Friday, January 9

• QF1: Winner SR2 vs Winner SR1 (Tangier, 16:00)
• QF2: Winner SR4 vs Winner SR3 (Rabat, 19:00)

Saturday, January 10

• QF3: Winner SR7 vs Winner SR6 (Marrakech, 16:00)
• QF4: Winner SR5 vs Winner SR8 (Agadir, 19:00)

Africa Cup of Nations 2025 semi-finals

Wednesday, January 14

• SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4 (Tangier, 17:00)
• SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF2 (Rabat, 20:00)

Africa Cup of Nations 2025 third-place match

Saturday, January 17

• SF1 vs SF2 losers (Casablanca, 16:00)

Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final

Sunday, January 18

• SF1 vs SF2 winners (Rabat, 19:00)