Bafana Bafana of South Africa finally broke their opening-match curse at the Africa Cup of Nations, with Lyle Foster’s stunning 79th-minute strike securing a 2-1 victory over Angola in Marrakech.
Twenty-one years. That’s how long South Africa had waited to taste victory in a tournament opener, their last such win coming against Benin back in 2004. Four defeats and two draws had followed across six tournaments, creating a psychological barrier that seemed to grow heavier with each edition. On Monday evening, Foster’s moment of magic lifted that weight.
The Burnley forward’s goal was a thing of beauty. Intercepting possession in midfield, he received a return pass and, from 20 yards out, curled an unstoppable effort into the top corner. Hugo Marques, Angola’s 39-year-old goalkeeper, could only watch as the ball nestled beyond his reach.
It was the sort of finish that decides matches, the sort of quality that separates good players from very good ones. For Foster, who missed the last AFCON whilst addressing mental health concerns, this was redemption wrapped in brilliance.
But this wasn’t a straightforward afternoon for Hugo Broos’s side. Far from it. Angola pushed them hard, created better chances overall, and for long stretches looked the more dangerous team. The statistics tell part of that story – Angola’s expected goals figure of 0.97 dwarfed South Africa’s 0.39.
Oswin Appollis had given Bafana the lead in the 21st minute, showing neat footwork after Khuliso Mudau’s cross fell kindly into his path. The Orlando Pirates winger controlled before drilling low past Marques. Clinical. Composed. The sort of finish young players dream about on the biggest stage.
Angola weren’t about to roll over. The Palancas Negras responded with intensity, pinning South Africa back and creating several dangerous moments. Captain Fredy orchestrated much of their best work from midfield, whilst Gelson Dala caused persistent problems up front.
Ten minutes before half-time, Angola drew level. Fredy’s clever low free-kick found Show at the near post, and the midfielder produced an acrobatic flick past Ronwen Williams. It was his second international goal in 50 appearances – not prolific, but perfectly timed.
Broos made a crucial halftime change, introducing Tshepang Moremi for the ineffective Mohau Nkota. The substitution transformed South Africa’s energy. Moremi thought he’d scored six minutes after the restart, turning his marker smartly before firing home, only for VAR to spot Foster marginally offside in the build-up.
Centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi nearly brought the house down in the 58th minute, abandoning his defensive post to unleash a thunderous 35-yard drive that crashed against the crossbar with Marques beaten. The message was clear – South Africa were hunting a winner.
When Foster’s moment arrived eleven minutes from time, it felt inevitable. The quality of the finish, the precision of the curl, the confidence to shoot from distance – this was a player operating at Premier League level, showing Angola exactly what that means.
Angola threw bodies forward in search of another equaliser. Substitute Mabululu headed narrowly wide in the 89th minute, their closest chance to rescue a point. But South Africa held firm, managing the closing stages with the professionalism of a team that knows what’s at stake.
For Broos, in his 50th match as South Africa manager, this was vindication. The 73-year-old Belgian, who won this tournament with Cameroon in 2017, has transformed Bafana’s fortunes since taking charge in 2021. Third place at the last AFCON, qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and now this – ending the opening-match jinx that had haunted them for over two decades.
Angola manager Patrice Beaumelle, just three months into the job, can take encouragement despite the defeat. His team created the better chances and played with ambition. They’re no pushovers, as Zimbabwe will discover when they meet on Boxing Day.
That same day, South Africa face their sternest test – Egypt. Mohamed Salah’s side secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe later on Monday through the Liverpool star’s stoppage-time penalty, setting up what promises to be the group’s defining fixture.
South Africa have now beaten Angola three times and drawn twice across five AFCON meetings. They’ve never lost to them at the tournament. History suggests they have the Palancas Negras’ number.
But history also said South Africa couldn’t win an opening match. Foster made sure that particular piece of history is now consigned to the past. Sometimes all it takes is one perfect moment, one perfect strike, to change everything.
Match details
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Mbule (Aubaas 81′), Appollis (Mokwana 81′), Nkota (Moremi 46′), Foster
Angola: Marques, Mata, Gaspar, Buatu, Show, Fredy (Nteka 86′), Muanza (Mukendi 86′), Luvumbo (Modesto 90+2′), Carneiro, Banza (Milson 76′), Dala (Mabululu 76′)
