Day two of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 delivered exactly what the tournament promised intensity, fine margins and late drama as Group B burst into life with two tightly contested encounters in Marrakech and Agadir.
The evening kicked off at 8pm EAT in Marrakech, where South Africa edged Angola 2–1 in a match that swung on moments of precision and persistence. Angola showed early intent, nearly stunning Bafana Bafana inside the opening two minutes when Gelson Dala rose to meet a lofted ball into the area, only for Ronwen Williams to produce a sharp save. South Africa gradually settled, pressing higher and asking questions of the Angolan back line, with Teboho Mokoena testing his luck from range as the contest grew in tempo.
The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute when Oswin Appollis found space in the box and drove a right-footed effort past Hugo Marques to put South Africa ahead. Angola responded with composure rather than panic, tightening their marking and slowing the rhythm before drawing level in the 34th minute. From a well-worked free kick, Show struck cleanly from central space, his right-footed effort beating Williams to restore parity and underline Angola’s threat from set pieces.
The match remained finely balanced heading into halftime, with both sides trading fouls and yellow cards as midfield control became fiercely contested. After the restart, South Africa made an immediate change, introducing Tshepang Moremi, a decision that would soon have an impact. Five minutes into the second half, Moremi struck from outside the area to reclaim the lead, though celebrations were briefly tempered when an earlier effort was ruled out for offside.
Angola refused to fade, and South Africa had to weather sustained pressure, including a spell where Williams was again called into action and Mbokazi struck the post at the other end. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Lyle Foster unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from distance that sailed beyond Marques to make it 2–1. Angola pushed late, making multiple substitutions in search of an equaliser, but South Africa held firm through five minutes of added time to secure three crucial opening points.
Later in the night, attention shifted to Agadir where record champions Egypt, chasing an eighth continental title, were made to work relentlessly by a spirited Zimbabwe side. Egypt dominated possession from the outset, probing through Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet and Omar Marmoush, but found Zimbabwe compact and disciplined. Against the run of play, the Warriors struck in the 20th minute when Prince Dube pounced inside the box, finishing decisively after a cross from Emmanuel Jalai to stun the home crowd.
Egypt responded with waves of pressure, repeatedly testing the Zimbabwean defence and goalkeeper, yet frustration grew as chances went begging. By halftime, Zimbabwe still held their slender lead, having defended intelligently while Egypt struggled to convert dominance into goals.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Egypt camped in Zimbabwe’s half and the visitors barely able to keep the ball. Persistence finally paid off in the 64th minute when Omar Marmoush struck a superb left-footed effort to draw Egypt level. Substitutions followed as Egypt sensed momentum shifting, but Zimbabwe continued to resist, with occasional counterattacks relieving pressure.
As the match edged into stoppage time, it appeared Zimbabwe might escape with a famous point. Instead, in the 90th minute, Mohamed Salah delivered the decisive moment. Latching onto a pass from Mostafa Mohamed, the Liverpool forward swept a composed left-footed finish into the net, sparking celebrations and sealing a dramatic 2–1 comeback victory.
