South Africa secured a 2-1 victory over Angola in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, marking the nation’s first win in a tournament opener in 21 years.
The triumph provided a long-awaited morale boost for Bafana Bafana as they begin their campaign in Morocco.
Angola had hoped to claim a maiden victory against South Africa in AFCON history, but Hugo Broos’ side proved too strong.
Oswin Appollis opened the scoring in the 21st minute, showcasing quick thinking and composure inside the box.
The decisive moment arrived late in the second half when Lyle Foster curled a clinical effort into the top corner in the 79th minute, sealing the three points for South Africa.
Angola managed a response, but it was not enough to prevent the hosts from celebrating a historic win.
The victory ends a long-standing struggle for South Africa in opening matches.
The last time Bafana Bafana won their first game at the Africa Cup of Nations was in 2004, when they defeated Benin 2-0 in Sfax, Tunisia.
Since then, the team has endured a difficult run, including losses to Guinea in 2006 (2-0), defeats to Algeria in 2015 (3-1), Ivory Coast in 2019 (1-0), and Mali in 2023 (2-0), along with draws against Angola (0-0 in 2008) and Cape Verde (0-0 in 2013).
Hugo Broos’ squad displayed determination and tactical discipline to break the pattern, combining early pressure with disciplined defending to withstand Angola’s counter-attacks.
“It’s an important result for us,” Broos commented after the match. “The players showed character and focus, and this is the kind of start that can give us confidence for the rest of the tournament.”
The win not only provides South Africa with three points in Group B but also restores belief in their ability to compete at the continental level.
Fans and analysts alike noted the team’s cohesion, particularly in transitioning from defense to attack, which allowed them to capitalize on key opportunities.
With momentum on their side, South Africa will now turn attention to their next group stage opponents, aiming to build on this historic start and push for a strong showing in AFCON 2025.
After more than two decades, Bafana Bafana has finally set a positive tone for the tournament, demonstrating that the wait for an opening day victory is over.
