South Africa v Angola live: Lyle Foster seals winner for Bafana Bafana in Africa Cup of Nations opener
South Africa 2-1 Angola: Bafana Bafana begin their Africa Cup of Nations bid in style, having finished third at the last edition of the tournament
South Africa got their Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a fine start with a 2-1 win over Angola in Group B.
The two sides were evenly balanced in an entertaining tussle in Marrakesh, but Hugo Broos’ side - who won the third-place play-off in the most recent edition of the tournament - came out on top courtesy of a 79th-minute winner from Burnley’s Lyle Foster, who curled a peach of a shot past beaten keeper Hugo Marques.
Oswin Appollis opened the scoring in the 25th minute, but Angola revived after going behind and midfielder Show pulled one back on his 50th appearance, turning in a corner just ten minutes later.
Substitute Tshepang Moremi had a goal ruled out for offside but the Bafana Bafana took a deserved lead late in the second half through Foster, and hung on despite a late Angola fightback to win their first opening game at Afcon in 21 years.
Follow live updates from South Africa v Angola, below
Africa Cup of Nations moved to every four years
The Africa Cup of Nations will be held every four years instead of two from 2028, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced.
The tournament has traditionally been held biennially since its inception in 1957. The surprise announcement was made on the eve of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday.
It follows a meeting of the CAF executive committee in Rabat, with president Patrice Motsepe announcing the major change in a press conference in Rabat.
Egypt v Zimbabwe up next
Fear not, there’s plenty more action in Afcon tonight, with Mohamed Salah’s Egypt taking on Zimbabwe - with kick-off in just 10 minutes.
Egypt v Zimbabwe live: Latest score and updates from Afcon
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
The Africa Cup of Nations kicked off in Morocco on Sunday 21 December, with the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat to be played on Sunday 18 January - far earlier than when held at this time of the calendar than in previous years.
The 35th edition of the biennial tournament was initially set to be played in July and August 2025, in order to reduce disruption with the European football season.
But the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations is, once again, a talking point - which is unfair to the tournament itself as it becomes squeezed by club football’s endless expansion.
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
Afcon fixtures
Here’s a full list of the fixtures in Afcon ahead of Christmas, with a brief break before action resumes on Boxing Day.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Egypt v Zimbabwe | 8:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Congo DR v Benin | 12:30 PM | Stade El Barid, Rabat, Morocco
Senegal v Botswana | 3:00 PM | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tanger, Morocco
Nigeria v Tanzania | 5:30 PM | Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès, Morocco
Tunisia v Uganda | 8:00 PM | Stade Olympique de Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Burkina Faso v Equatorial Guinea | 12:30 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
Algeria v Sudan | 3:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, Rabat, Morocco
Ivory Coast v Mozambique | 5:30 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
Cameroon v Gabon | 8:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
South Africa 2-1 Angola
The two sides were pretty evenly balanced in that encounter, with 10 shots apiece and four on target each.
Angola had more touches in the opposition box - 23 to 15 - but just couldn’t make them count when it mattered.
South Africa 2-1 Angola
That result puts South Africa top of Group B, with Egypt v Zimbabwe the other match in this group tonight.
Mohamed Salah’s Pharaohs are in action from 8pm GMT, also live on Channel 4.
FULL-TIME: South Africa 2-1 Angola
Jubilation for South Africa but despair for Angola, who largely played well and will be gutted not to have taken a point here.
FULL-TIME: South Africa 2-1 Angola
‘90+5: Full-time in Marrakesh!
Job done for South Africa, who win their first Afcon opener in 21 years!!
South Africa 2-1 Angola
‘90+4: Angola win a corner, which is eventually taken after the referee gives everyone an earful again.
It goes out for a goal kick.
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