Appollis Penalty Sends South Africa Into Next Round After Zimbabwe Thriller

South Africa booked their place in the next phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 3–2 victory over Zimbabwe at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Matchday 3 of Group B.

The visitors struck early in the sixth minute when Tshepang Moremi’s shot deflected into the net. Zimbabwe responded through Tawanda Maswanhise, who produced a brilliant solo run to level the score in the 20th minute. Lyle Foster restored South Africa’s lead early in the second half with a powerful header from a free kick.

Zimbabwe refused to fade and equalised again in the 73rd minute as Maswanhise’s effort took a deflection to make it 2–2. The decisive moment arrived late on when Marvelous Nakamba handled the ball in the box. After a VAR review, Oswin Appollis calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 81st minute, sealing the win and South Africa’s progression.