Bafana Bafana advance to the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] round of 16 after beating Zimbabwe 3-2.
Coming into the match, Hugo Broos’ men needed a win to guarantee passage to the round of 16. An early goal from Tsepang Moremi made the job easier for South Africa, but poor defending saw the Warriors equalise in the 19th minute.
Bafana retook the lead through Lyle Foster, but only for Zimbabwe to hit back after Aubrey Modiba’s own goal.
Both teams went all out for the win with a round of 16 up for grabs, and it was Bafana who found a late winner. Oswin Appollis scored a penalty to give Hugo Broos’ side a win and also a spot in the last 16.
Who will Bafana play in the round of 16
Having finished second in Group B, Hugo Broos’ side will face the Group F runners-up in Rabat (Cameroon/Ivory Coast/Gabon/Mozambique) on January 4.
Group F teams will be in action on Wednesday night, and it will only be then that Bafana will know their opponents.
This is the second successive AFCON that Bafana have reached the round of 16. In the previous edition, they finished third, which was their best showing in the tournament since 2000.
Egypt topped Group B after their 0-0 draw with Angola in the other match. Bafana will now start preparing for their clash, which is on Sunday, but they will have more rest compared to their opponents.