VAR Drama Sends Bafana Bafana Into AFCON Last 16 After Thrilling Win Over Zimbabwe

VAR intervention finally worked in Bafana Bafana’s favour as South Africa edged Zimbabwe 3–2 in a pulsating AFCON group-stage finale at Stade de Marrakech on Monday night to secure qualification for the last 16.

Oswin Appollis kept his nerve from the penalty spot late on to decide the contest after South Africa had twice surrendered the lead. Tshepang Moremi and Lyle Foster were on target for Bafana, while Tawanda Maswanhise and an Aubrey Modiba own goal brought Zimbabwe back into the game.

Referee Mustapha Kechchaf pointed to the spot after consulting VAR and the pitchside monitor, ruling that a Zimbabwe defender had handled the ball while attempting to clear. The decision proved decisive in a match packed with momentum swings and late drama.

VAR Call Lifts Bafana After Earlier Controversy

The penalty verdict came as welcome relief for Bafana and their supporters, particularly after frustration over two decisions that went against them in the narrow 1–0 defeat to Egypt in Agadir. That loss followed a solid 2–1 opening win over Angola.

South Africa finished second in Group B on six points, three behind Egypt, and now await a daunting knockout clash against either defending champions Ivory Coast or Cameroon.

Despite progressing, Hugo Broos’s side will acknowledge they have yet to reach top gear and must raise their level if they are to build on their third-place finish at the previous tournament and justify their “dark horse” status.

Fast Start, Fierce Response in Marrakech Derby

As the saying goes, “form counts for nothing” in derbies, and Zimbabwe certainly lived up to that belief. The Warriors, viewed as underdogs, matched Bafana stride for stride as the teams went into half-time level at 1–1.

Broos made just one change from the side that lost to Egypt, handing Sipho Mbule a start ahead of Thalente Mbatha. The move paid dividends early as Bafana struck in the seventh minute, Moremi’s curling effort taking a significant deflection off Divine Lunga to wrong-foot goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Zimbabwe soon settled and responded through Maswanhise, who produced a moment of individual brilliance by weaving past several defenders before drilling a low finish beyond Ronwen Williams. The equaliser briefly stunned Bafana and raised fears of qualification slipping away.

Second-Half Swings and Late VAR Decider

Bafana pressed forward with greater urgency after the break, and Broos reshuffled his midfield by introducing Bathusi Aubaas for Sphephelo Sithole. The change freed Teboho Mokoena to push higher up the pitch and added impetus in attack.

The breakthrough arrived when Appollis floated a hopeful ball into the area. Under pressure, Lunga attempted a headed back-pass that turned into a “hospital ball”, leaving Arubi stranded and allowing Foster to nod into an empty net.

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Another lapse in concentration, however, saw Zimbabwe level again. Maswanhise’s shot was parried by Williams, but the rebound ricocheted off Modiba’s chest and into the net.

This time, though, Bafana refused to buckle. VAR intervened once more in the closing stages, awarding the decisive penalty that Appollis converted to seal a dramatic victory.

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