Appollis Late Penalty Clinches South Africas Victory Against Zimbabwe Securing AFCON Last 16 Spot

Oswin Appollis scored from a penalty in the closing stages to secure a 3-2 win for South Africa against Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations in Marrakesh on Monday, earning them a place in the knockout rounds.

Bafana Bafana will find out on Wednesday their opponent for Sundays round of 16 match. The likely candidates are either the current title holders Ivory Coast or Cameroon with their five previous triumphs.

Egypt, having secured top position in Group B already and thus resting key players including skipper Mohamed Salah, ended with seven points following a goalless stalemate with Angola in Agadir.

South Africa ended on six points, Angola managed two, and Zimbabwe just one. Angola still has a chance to advance as one of the top four third placed sides.

During the Marrakesh fixture, Confederation of African Football president and South African Patrice Motsepe joined a modest yet lively audience that witnessed Bafana Bafana take control early on.

Zimbabwes keeper Washington Arubi was slow to respond to a low effort from Appollis in the sixth minute, managing to grab the ball right before it went over the line.

Just a minute later, South Africa took the lead courtesy of emerging talent Tshepang Moremi in this southern African derby.

The ball was crossed into the area near the penalty spot for Moremi. His powerful strike deflected off Divine Lunga and arced over the 40 year old Arubi into the goal.

Going a goal down spurred Zimbabwe into action, and they rightly equalised in the 19th minute through the solo skill of Tawanda Maswanhise, who plays for Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

Frustrations

Maswanhise picked up the ball in the South African half, weaved past a couple of defenders, and slotted it past skipper and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into the far side of the net.

The leveller shook South Africa. As bronze winners from the 2024 AFCON, they were lucky not to trail further as the game hit the 30 minute mark.

A Zimbabwe set piece was curled into the danger zone, leaving Munashe Garananga free, but he could only nod it high from a yard out.

South Africas annoyance at failing to control the game boiled over near the break. Sipho Mbule, already on a booking, clashed with the Moroccan official, nearly earning a second yellow and dismissal.

Much like the opening half, South Africa started the second half with intent. They went ahead again on 50 minutes via Burnley forward Lyle Foster.

The Premier League ace chased a misplaced header back to the sluggish Arubi, then leaped above the experienced shot stopper to head home.

This marked his second strike of the tournament for the 25 year old, following his decisive goal versus Angola. He remains the sole South African in a top European division.

Maswanhise kept posing problems and nearly doubled his tally mid way through the second period. His curled effort from outside the area hit the upright.

After enduring pressure, Zimbabwe drew level on 73 minutes due to an unfortunate own goal by Aubrey Modiba.

A fine switch of play from replacement Tawanda Chirewa reached Maswanhise, whose attempt was pushed away by Williams. The loose ball then hit Modiba and trickled in.

Appollis converted an 82nd minute spot kick to put Bafana ahead for the third occasion, a lead they held firm until the end.