By Ayomide Otitoju
Burnley striker Lyle Foster scored in the 79th minute as South Africa edged Angola 2-1 in Marrakesh on Monday, securing their first opening win at an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign since 2004.
Bafana Bafana had previously struggled in tournament openers, drawing twice and losing four times since their 2004 victory over Benin.
The Group B match saw three distinct phases. South Africa began strongly, with Oswin Appollis giving them the lead in the 21st minute, capitalising on a Khuliso Mudau cross to beat 39-year-old goalkeeper Hugo Marques. Angola then dominated the remainder of the first half, with Show equalising in the 35th minute after a low free-kick found him unmarked.
South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made crucial saves, including a point-blank stop from Gelson Dala, while tempers flared as both sides received cautions from the Sudanese referee.
In the second half, South Africa pushed forward aggressively. A potential lead from substitute Tshepang Moremi was ruled out by VAR for offside involving Foster. The team kept pressing, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi hitting the crossbar from long range.
Foster eventually broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, scoring from the edge of the box after a quick counterattack and slick passing sequence. The goal marked Foster’s fourth in six matches and secured South Africa’s historic AFCON opener win, giving the team confidence as they pursue success in the tournament.
