South Africa vs Angola LIVE
South Africa kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with an entertaining 2-1 win over Angola. Bafana Bafana have not won AFCON for three decades, a wait they would surely love to bring to an end this campaign, and they took a positive first step towards that end in Marrakesh on Monday night. A thrilling first half was wide open from kick-off as both sides attacked relentlessly.
While Angola had the better chances in the early exchanges, they were routinely frustrated by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who produced three titanic first-half saves to keep Bafana Bafana in the conversation. His efforts were rewarded by Oswin Appollis, who drilled a smart finish beyond Hugo Marques. They were pegged back, though, by a cheeky flick from Manuel Luis Show shortly before the break.
After a scrappy second half, Lyle Foster took matters into his own hands, bending one into the top right corner to mask what till then had been a poor performance and secure all three points for South Africa. Catch up with the action as it happened below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis.
South Africa vs Angola latest news
- GOAL! Foster stunner puts Bafana Bafana back in front
- Moremi goal disallowed
- GOAL! Show levels it
- GOAL! Appollis with the opener
- South Africa XI
- Angola XI
That's all from us
19:30 , Arthur FerridgeThank you very much for following Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of South Africa vs Angola!
Catch you next time.
Fancy more AFCON action?
19:20 , Arthur FerridgeStandard Sport has still more AFCON action to bring you this evening!
South Africa are top of Group B - for now. Egypt face Zimbabwe in tonight’s final fixture, and, goal difference dependent, Bafana Bafana could be unseated.
Click here to follow Egypt vs Zimbabwe LIVE!
MATCH REPORT: South Africa 2-1 Angola
19:10 , Arthur FerridgeLyle Foster hit a stunning late winner as South Africa beat Angola in the opening match of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Speaking pre-match, Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos had made a point of downplaying his side’s title hopes, but they gave their nation cause to dream with an impressive showing.
It was an entertaining affair in Marrakesh. The match was wide open from the off and promptly produced goals. Oswin Appollis’ opener was promptly cancelled out by Manuel Luis Show before the break.
But a tightly-contested second period was settled as misfiring Burnley striker Foster picked out the top-right corner with the clock winding down. It had until then been a forgettable performance for the 25-year-old, but he rewrote the narrative with his intervention, and perhaps renewed his claim to the starting No9 spot.
Click here to relive the action from South Africa 2-1 Angola!
FULL TIME: South Africa 2-1 Angola
19:01 , Arthur FerridgeContrasting emotions on the pitch, here. Bafana Bafana, jubilant. Angola, despondent. Hardly surprising - that’ll be a hard loss to take.
FULL TIME: South Africa 2-1 Angola
18:59 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the whistle - South Africa take all three points!
South Africa 2-1 Angola
18:58 , Arthur Ferridge90+4mins: Angola are handed a late corner and there is plenty of pushing and shoving in the box before it is taken. The referee intervenes to keep the peace, and when the corner is eventually taken, it fails to beat the first man.
South Africa 2-1 Angola
18:54 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Five minutes added on here. Can Angola find another way back into this?
South Africa 2-1 Angola
18:51 , Arthur Ferridge88mins: Nteka, just introduced, clatters his man and is instantly booked. Good start.
South Africa 2-1 Angola
18:49 , Arthur Ferridge86mins: More Angola changes as Fredy and Maestro come off for Beni and Nteka.
South Africa 2-1 Angola
18:44 , Arthur Ferridge81mins: Well, in fairness, Foster has been pretty poor tonight. He won’t care, though - especially if that ends up being the winner.
GOAL! South Africa 2-1 Angola | Foster '79
18:42 , Arthur FerridgeFoster slams one home from range! A stunner! Who ever said he was bad tonight...
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:41 , Arthur Ferridge77mins: Foster clears an Angola corner and sets South Africa on a blistering counter-attack. Moremi led the way, steaming down the left flank and breaking to the byline, but he waits too long to pick his pass.
It is eventually cut back to Foster, who smashes it well over the bar. This has not been a vintage showing from the Burnley man.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:39 , Arthur Ferridge76mins: Changes for Angola as Milson and Madululu replace Gelson and Nzola.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:36 , Arthur Ferridge72mins: As in the early stages of the first half, South Africa have the vast majority of the possession here but are struggling to do much with it. Whether it is down to fatigue, frustration, or something else, they just seem to have lost a bit of sharpness.
In fairness, that was a frenetic first-half - it must have been tiring. Time for more subs?
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:34 , Arthur Ferridge71mins: Angola are producing some resolute defending here as the clock winds down, but South Africa are unrelenting. Surely this match has more goals in it...
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:31 , Arthur Ferridge68mins: Mudua is penalised for a late tackle and Angola are handed another tempting set-piece. They have not been quite as threatening from them in the second half as they were in the first, though. It comes to nothing.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:29 , Arthur Ferridge66mins: Another nice move from Angola as Maestro is teed up to strike one. He puts his foot through it and it breezes beyond the post afte ra slight deflection.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:28 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: NO PENALTY! We play on with an Angola free kick for an earlier offence.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:27 , Arthur Ferridge63mins: Penalty shout for South Africa! Mudau is down in the box and he definitely turned up the theatrics, but he could have a case...
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:24 , Arthur Ferridge61mins: Mokoena smashes his free-kick into the wall.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:23 , Arthur Ferridge61mins: Bafana Bafana have a free kick in a great position. Just left of centre, and about 20 yards out. Mokoena stands over it...
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:22 , Arthur Ferridge59mins: Mbokazi rattles the bar from considerable distance! What a goal that would have been! The keeper was well beaten - so unlucky...
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:19 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: That is a hugely frustrating moment for South Africa, but it could prove an invigorating one for Angola, who have been handed a lifeline.
Can they make the most of it, though?
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:17 , Arthur Ferridge53mins: GOAL DISALLOWED! Lyle Foster is deemed to have come back from an offside position to tee up Moremi’s goal.
GOAL! South Africa 2-1 Angola | Moremi '51
18:15 , Arthur FerridgeThe substitute Moremi has an instant impact! A long through-ball is played right into his feet - he beats his marker with a deft touch and picks out the bottom corner beautifully.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:13 , Arthur Ferridge50mins: Mokoena fires wide from range. Not a bad effort by any means, but it won’t have worried Marques.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:12 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: A bit of a scrappy start to the second half here - a far cry from the free-flowing action of the first.
Gelson and Mbule come together in a 50/50 on the floor, and the referee decides in favour of the South African. Bafana Bafana cannot capitalise from the free-kick, though, and Angola look to counter.
They are held up by the offside flag, though.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:09 , Arthur FerridgeThere has been a change for South Africa. Moremi replaces Nkota.
2ND HALF: South Africa 1-1 Angola
18:08 , Arthur FerridgeWe’re back underway!
H/T: South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:52 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the whistle!
South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:52 , Arthur Ferridge45+6mins: Another rough tackle here as Foster is sat down by Gaspar, who gets off scot-free.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:51 , Arthur Ferridge45+4mins: The goalscorer Show is subject to a late tackle from Sithole, and the Bafana Bafana man goes into the book.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:49 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: South Africa accelerating their attack into the late stages as Nkota’s cross is cleared with a diving header. You wouldn’t be overly surprised to see another goal scored before half-time...
South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:47 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Five minutes added on.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:46 , Arthur Ferridge44mins: Claims for handball on Modiba after he got in the way of an Angolan cross, but the referee just points to the corner flag. The set-piece is delivered into the hands of Williams.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:45 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: A good delivery from Fredy is cleared behind and it’ll be an Angola corner now.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:44 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: With that said, it seems it was just Modiba booked, and we play on with an Angola set-piece. These have been pretty threatening so far...
South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:43 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Handbags now! Modiba has put in a heavy tackle Luvumbo, and the benches clear as yellow cards fly.
South Africa 1-1 Angola
17:39 , Arthur Ferridge38mins: A fascinating twist in the tale of this game. Where do we go from here?
GOAL! South Africa 1-1 Angola | Show '36
17:38 , Arthur FerridgeSouth Africa are punished! Angola finally get the betterof Williams. The free-kick is whipped in and finished smartly at the near post by Show, who got the crucial touch.
South Africa 1-0 Angola
17:37 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Ngezana gets away without punishment for a late tackle on Gelson. Didn’t seem to be much in it, really, but Angola have a free kick high on the left flank now.
South Africa 1-0 Angola
17:34 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: To Carneiro is booked for lashing out at Nkota.
South Africa 1-0 Angola
17:33 , Arthur Ferridge31mins: Well, there’s been a massive momentum shift since the goal here. Angola are really begging the question now.
South Africa 1-0 Angola
17:31 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: A third huge save from Williams! Angola have a corner and Gelson connects with it very nicely - Williams is there to parry it away, though, and South Africa’s lead remains intact.
South Africa 1-0 Angola
17:28 , Arthur Ferridge26mins: Angola are starting to look a tad frustrated here - lots of clumsy fouls coming out. The gaffer Beaumelle looks unimpressed.
GOAL! South Africa 1-0 Angola | Appollis '20
17:23 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the opener - it's Oswin Appollis! Lyle Foster miscontrols a pass in the box but it falls to Appollis, who drills his shot into the bottom left corner.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:21 , Arthur Ferridge19mins: South Africa have all the possession and are spending an awful lot of time in the final third, but it is still Angola who have had the better chances thus far.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:17 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: Fredy catches Mata’s cross sweetly on the volley, and Williams comes up with another great save! South Africa counter through Foster, but Gaspar tracks back to halt his progress.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:16 , Arthur Ferridge14mins: A deep Angola cross falls to Luvumbo, who attempts to spin Modiba but is shouldered off the ball and fouls his man as he tries to recover possession.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:15 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: Angola can’t lay a glove on South Africa right now. Bafana Bafana look perfectly comfortable.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:13 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: A fantastic header from Foster is saved by Marques, who was at full stretch.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:11 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: Mokoena picks up a loose ball some 30 yards from goal and says ‘why not?’ His shot sails high and wide.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:10 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: The players are milling about on the pitch, knocking balls around as the referees sort out their radios.
Seems we are finally getting back underway here, though.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:09 , Arthur Ferridge7mins: A break in play here - seems our referees are having trouble with their communication.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:07 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: South Africa are settling in, here, just knocking it around the back and searching for a way through. An opening presents itself and they strike, but Lyle Foster cannot connect with a loose ball on the edge of the box.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:05 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: Angola’s turn to attack now and their free-kick is far more threatening. The ball is flicked on for Gelson, who heads into the hands of Williams.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:03 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: Bafana look to play the free kick short for Nkota, but the pass is overhit and goes behind for a goal kick.
South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:03 , Arthur Ferridge1mins: A snappy start from South Africa, who go long from the off, knock it around smartly, and win an immediate free-kick.
KICK-OFF! South Africa 0-0 Angola
17:02 , Arthur FerridgeAnd we’re off!
Players are out
16:56 , Arthur FerridgeTime for the anthems! Kick-off is imminent in Marrakesh.
Nearly time to go
16:45 , Arthur FerridgeWith 15 minutes left to kick-off, here’s a reminder of today’s XIs.
South Africa XI: Williams; Mbokazi, Ngezana, Mudau, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Mbule, Nkota, Appollis, Foster
Angola XI: Hugo; Buatu, Mata, Gaspar, Maestro, Nzola, Gelson Dala, To Carneiro, Fredy, Luvumbo, Show
Talking tactics
16:37 , Arthur FerridgeWe could be in for a bit of a tactical showdown here.
It appears South Africa are in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Angola take up a 3-1-4-2.
It will be a congested midfield here, which one would expect to play into the hands of South Africa’s more technical side.
Angola will have the veteran Fredy in the middle, though, ready to pull the strings.
Premier League representation
16:27 , Arthur FerridgeBurnley’s Lyle Foster leads the line for South Africa.
He has two goals and one assist in 13 appearances for the Clarets so far this year. Can he improve on that record today?
Up next: Egypt vs Zimbabwe
16:17 , Arthur FerridgeMohamed Salah’s Egypt will be on after South Africa vs Angola, facing Zimbabwe in their own AFCON opener.
The Pharaohs, who have qualified for next summer’s World Cup, are the most successful team in AFCON history with seven titles, though they have not been crowned champions of Africa since 2010.
Lead by Liverpool star Salah, in what could be his final ever appearance at AFCON, Egypt are among the favourites to go all the way in Morocco.
Zimbabwe are making their seventh apperance at AFCON and are bidding to progress past the group stage for the first time.
ANGOLA TEAM NEWS
16:07 , Arthur FerridgeAnd here’s Angola...
Angola XI: Hugo; Buatu, Mata, Gaspar, Maestro, Nzola, Gelson Dala, To Carneiro, Fredy, Luvumbo, Show
Mali vs Zambia
16:06 , Arthur FerridgeFull-time in the early kick-off, and Zambia strike late to nick a point!
Lassine Sinayoko opened the scoring shortly after the hour mark, but Leicester’s Patson Daka pulled one back in injury-time to ensure Zambia did not go home empty-handed.
SOUTH AFRICA TEAM NEWS
16:02 , Arthur FerridgeThe South Africa XI is in!
South Africa XI: Williams; Mbokazi, Ngezana, Mudau, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Mbule, Nkota, Appollis, Foster
Subs: Smith, Ndamane, Mbatha, Moremi, Mofokeng, Mokwana, Aubaas, Chaine, Kabini, Goss, Makgopa, Campbell, Matuludi
Matchday hype building
15:56 , Arthur FerridgeCountdown to kickoff!!!! 🔥 🇿🇦 #BafanaPride@CastleLagerSA @NUTRITECHFIT @Shield_ZA @SABC_Sport @10bet_ZA pic.twitter.com/HjDWFxH3MG
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 22, 2025
Broos sets out underdog stance
15:46 , Arthur FerridgeHugo Broos is not buying into the hype surrounding South Africa’s AFCON chances - he insists they are not tournament favourites.
“It's always very dangerous to put yourself as a favourite. I think this is something the media has to do or the supporters. The only thing I can say is that this AFCON will be tougher than the one in Ivory Coast,” Broos said.
"It's because I don't think that the big countries will make the same mistake like they did in Ivory Coast. As you remember, many big countries were not qualified [for the knockout stage] and were soon out of the tournament.
"I think of Egypt, I think of Cameroon, I think of Ghana, Morocco, and so on. This will not happen now, I think they learnt their lesson in the last AFCON. So, that means what is normal in a tournament like this - all the big teams will be there after the group stages.
"So, that means it will be very tough to win, this AFCON, so I will not tell you that South Africa is favorites. I think if you can pick your favorite then it's Morocco because Morocco is a very good team and playing at home.”
AFCON action elsewhere
15:37 , Arthur FerridgeAFCON got underway last night as Morocco beat the Comoros 2-0. Catch up with the action from Rabat here!
Mali faced Zambia in today’s early kick-off, with Les Aigles currently leading 1-0 in the late stages.
Later this evening, Standard Sport will bring you LIVE coverage of Group B’s other match - Egypt vs Zimbabwe!
Angola's AFCON record
15:33 , Arthur FerridgeAngola have faced South Africa four times in their AFCON career, but are yet to win.
Patrice Beaumelle is nonplussed by that record, though.
“Statistics get people talking, but the reality is on the field on Monday night when the tournament kicks off,” he said.
“Every competition is different. Our goal isn’t only to face South Africa but to start strongly and see where the tournament takes us.
“AFCON is a long journey and the opening game is crucial.”
Have Angola ever won AFCON?
15:21 , Arthur FerridgeAngola have never won AFCON, but they have only had a handful of attempts.
They are three-time quarter-finalists, but when they qualify, they go home after the group stage more often than not.
Their most recent attempt in 2023 was ended at the quarter-final stage. They eased through the round of 16 with a 3-0 defeat of Namibia, but were edged out by Nigeria at the second time of asking, losing 1-0.
Ademola Lookman was the goalscorer.
Last time out
15:12 , Arthur FerridgeSouth Africa come into this match unbeaten in ten, but who was the last team to beat them?
Why, it was Angola, of course!
They took a decisive 3-0 victory in the COSAFA Cup back in June.
Standard Sport prediction
15:02 , Arthur FerridgeSouth Africa come into this tournament with something of a point to prove. Three decades without an AFCON title is an awkward record, and Bafana Bafana will be desperate to return to the top step of the proverbial podium.
That, of course, will be easier said than done, though they have an opportunity to make a real statement of intent here in what should arguably be their easiest group stage match.
Deliver on Monday, and they could kick on a historic campaign. Likewise, a loss could prove seriously damaging.
Their recent matches have not been high scoring, but they have shown a knack for delivering when it counts. Expect no surprises.
South Africa to win, 2-0.
Angola early team news
14:54 , Arthur FerridgeAngola come into the tournament with one injury concern. AEK Athens striker Zini has not played since picking up an injury in a Conference League defeat of Fiorentina in late November, and it remains unclear whether he will be fit to face South Africa.
Swansea’s Manuel Benson will be expected to provide much of the side’s attacking impetus, alongside Cagliari’s Zito Luvumbo. OL Lyon’s Clinton Mata will lead from the back, with fellow veteran Fredy ahead of him in midfield.
South Africa early team news
14:46 , Arthur FerridgeNaturally, given the tournament has not yet started, injuries are few and far between.
Luckily for Broos, South Africa come into the match with no fitness concerns.
Burnley’s Lyle Foster will likely lead the line for Bafana Bafana, though he has come in for scrutiny of late amid a run of just one goal in his last 13 matches.
How to watch South Africa vs Angola
14:38 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: Every match of the tournament will be broadcast across Channel 4’s network.
The game will be broadcast on Channel 4seven, with coverage starting at 4.55pm.
Live stream: UK viewers will be able to stream games on the Channel 4 Sport YouTube or Channel 4’s official website and app.
Good afternoon
14:30 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of South Africa vs Angola!
It is a first AFCON outing of the year for both sides - who will start their tournament on the right foot?
Kick-off is pencilled in for 5pm. Stick with us!
