Appollis and Foster fire Bafana Bafana to winning AFCON start

Bafana Bafana were tested early when Ronwen Williams made a solid second-minute save from Gelson Dala’s header inside the six-yard box.

Angola then dropped deep, allowing South Africa to control possession with neat passing and good movement. Teboho Mokoena fired the first shot from distance in the ninth minute, but his powerful curling shot went slightly wide.

OSWIN APPOLLIS BREAKS THE DEADLOCK

The game soon opened up. Lyle Foster forced a good save from Hugo Marques with a strong header, before Williams produced a brilliant stop to deny Fredy in the 15th minute.

Bafana Bafana took the lead in the 21st minute through Oswin Appollis, who beat two defenders inside the box before firing low past Marques.

Williams stayed busy, making a sharp reflex save from a corner on 28 minutes. Angola enjoyed a strong spell around the half-hour mark, pushing Bafana Bafana back, and were rewarded in the 36th minute when Fredy’s free-kick was slid in by Show into the net to make it 1-1.

LYLE FOSTER WINS IT FOR BAFANA BAFANA

The second half started with early drama. Substitute Tshepang Moremi thought he had scored in the 52nd minute. A clever spin and low finish from Mbule’s through ball, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled the goal out. Mbekezli Mbokazi then came close on 57 minutes, smashing a long-range effort against the crossbar with the Angola keeper beaten.

In the 76th minute, Foster ballooned a glorious chance from just outside the 18-yard area. However, a minute later, Moremi set him up on the edge of the box, allowing the Burnley striker to curl home for a 2-1 lead.

Coach Hugo Broos then managed the game with two substitutions. Elias Mokwana replaced the tiring Appollis, while Mbule made way for Bathusi Aubaas.

How South Africa lined-up:

Williams (c), Mbokazi, Ngezana, Mudau, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Mbule, Nkota, Appollis, Foster.

Substitutes: Goss, Chaine, Smith, Ndamane, Mbatha, Moremi, Mofokeng, Mokwana, Aubaas, Kabini, Makgopa, Campbell, Matuludi.

Up next for Bafana Bafana is a trip to Agadir to face Egypt on Friday, 26 December at 17:00. Their final Group B fixture will be against neighbours Zimbabwe in Marrakech on 29 December at 18:00.