LYLE Foster scored a stunning goal with a curling shot from outside the box, helping South Africa beat Angola 2-1 in their Group B game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Marrakech on Monday. This was South Africa's first win in their opening match at the continental finals in 21 years.
KHALED DESOUKI / AFP
South Africa had a goal disallowed and hit the crossbar, which showed they really deserved the win.
Angola had their chances too and were disappointed not to get more from the game.
South Africa took the lead on 21 minutes when Oswin Appollis used smart footwork in the box to create a chance and fired the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
But Angola equalized before half-time as Show touched a free-kick from Fredy into the bottom corner, making the score 1-1.
The decisive goal came on 79 minutes when Burnley's Foster was given space 25 yards out and curled the ball into the top corner, securing a positive start for the bronze medallists from two years ago.
After Teboho Mokoena shot wide from 35 yards, Foster's header was saved by ex-Cape Town City goalkeeper Hugo Marques.
Angola captain Fredy made a fine save from South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams with a volley, clearing the ball away in a crowded penalty area.
South Africa took the lead on 20 minutes after a period of possession that led to Khuliso Mudau's cross, touched by both Sipho Mbule and Lyle Foster, before Appollis beat two defenders and scored with a side-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Williams was called into action again when he saved a close-range header from Gelson Dala following a corner from Fredy.
Angola equalized on 35 minutes when Fredy's low free-kick was touched into the bottom corner by Show, his second goal in his 50th cap for his country.
South Africa replaced Mohau Nkota with Tshepang Moremi at halftime to add more attacking threat on the wing, as he moved to the left and Appollis to the right.
The change almost paid off immediately as Moremi got the ball in the back of the net, but Foster was offside in the build-up and the Video Assistant Referee ruled it out.
South Africa's Mbekezeli Mbokazi hit the crossbar with a powerful shot from 35 yards, before Foster sealed the three points with his clinical finish.