Lyle Foster’s Classy Finish Sinks Angola as Bafana Bafana Begin AFCON 2025 With A Flourish

Lyle Foster scored a beautiful goal as South Africa beat Angola 2-1 in an entertaining AFCON 2025 clash in Marrakech.

South Africa kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Angola in a captivating Group B clash.

The result extends Bafana Bafana's impressive unbeaten streak to 12 matches. Seeking to establish themselves as serious contenders, Hugo Broos's team faced an Angolan side they had never lost to in AFCON history.

The match began at a frantic pace, with both teams eager to make an impact. Teboho Mokoena tested the waters early with a long-range shot that sailed just over the crossbar, while at the other end, Ronwen Williams was forced into a sharp save to deny Fredy's powerful volley.

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Brilliant Goals and Missed Chances

The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when South Africa's Oswin Appollis cut in from the right flank and fired a precise, low shot into the bottom corner to give his side the lead. However, Angola responded strongly, and Williams had to make an unconventional save to keep out a Gelson Dala header from a well-placed corner.

Angola's pressure paid off just before halftime. Celebrating his 50th international cap, Show met a Fredy free-kick with a brilliant sliding finish to level the score, leaving the match perfectly balanced at the interval.

South Africa came out strong in the second half, with substitute Tshepang Moremi seemingly restoring their lead with a fine left-footed strike. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR review determined that Lyle Foster was in an offside position and interfering with play. Undeterred, South Africa continued to press, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi rattling the crossbar with a thunderous effort.

Foster Settles the Nerves for Bafana Bafana

Angola, known as the Palancas Negras, remained a threat, with Maestro coming close with an attempt of his own. As both teams pushed for a winner, Foster missed a golden opportunity, sending his shot over the bar from a promising position. The Burnley striker quickly made amends, however, curling a sublime effort past goalkeeper Hugo Marques to seal the victory for South Africa.

Despite a mixed performance, Foster's moment of brilliance proved decisive in a tightly contested match in Marrakech. The win provides an ideal start for Broos's men, who next face seven-time champions Egypt.

Angola, meanwhile, will feel unfortunate to leave with nothing and will look to regroup before their next Group B match against Zimbabwe.