Bafana Bafana secured a 2-1 victory against Angola to start their AFCON journey, celebrating head coach Hugo Broos’ 50th game on Monday evening at the Stade de Marrakech.
Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster scored for Bafana while Show netted the only goal for Angola.
The two teams entered the match having met four times at AFCON, with Bafana claiming two victories while the other two encounters ended in draws.
Bafana had an early scare in the third minute as Angola almost struck first, but Gelson Dala’s free header was comfortably caught by Ronwen Williams.
After that, clear-cut chances were few and far between, with both teams taking time to settle into the match.
In the 14th minute, Williams produced a fine save to keep out Fredy’s powerful effort from inside the box following a cross.
Despite Angola’s threatening moments, Bafana continued to dominate possession.
In the 21st minute, Oswin Appollis broke the deadlock, finishing after an unintended set-up from Lyle Foster, who was attempting to control the ball.
Angola midfielder Show restored parity in the 35th minute, finishing with a clever backheel after Fredy’s free kick.
Bafana’s early second-half celebrations were cut short when Tshepang Moremi’s goal was disallowed by VAR after Lyle Foster was judged offside in the build-up.
Hugo Broos’ men appeared to regain their confidence, continuing to press forward in search of another lead. Foster found the back of the net in the 79th minute, scoring the decisive goal for the 1996 AFCON champions.
With Angola failing to mount another come back to level the scoreline, the match ended with Bafana accumulating maximum points.
SA take on Egypt in the next match on 26 December as Angola face Zimbabwe on the same day.
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