With everything to play for in this decisive Group B encounter, the COSAFA neighbours both took to the field knowing qualification for the knockout stages was within reach. It was, however, Hugo Broos’ charges who made the early running, striking inside the opening ten minutes.

Tshepang Moremi broke the deadlock in the seventh minute after his goal-bound effort took a decisive deflection off Zimbabwe defender Divine Lunga and nestled into the back of the net, sending the South African supporters into early celebration.

Bafana Bafana. Photo: Bafana Bafana

Zimbabwe, though, showed plenty of character and refused to drop their heads. Backed by a lively crowd, they took the game to Bafana Bafana and were rewarded in the 19th minute when the dangerous Tawanda Mashwanhise danced past the South African defence before calmly slotting home the equaliser.

Bafana regrouped after the break and reclaimed the lead five minutes into the second half. Lyle Foster rose highest in the box, beating goalkeeper Washington Arubi in the air to power home a header and restore South Africa’s advantage.

The stubborn Zimbabweans were not done yet. In the 73rd minute, Mashwanhise struck again, his shot taking a cruel deflection off Aubrey Modiba and looping into the net to make it 2-2 and set up a nervy finish.

Drama followed late on when Bafana Bafana were awarded a penalty after Zimbabwe captain Marvellous Nakamba was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area. Man of the Match Oswin Appollis kept his nerve, calmly stepping up to convert from the spot in the 82nd minute and seal a crucial victory for South Africa.

Despite the celebrations, Broos was quick to sound a warning, insisting his side must raise their game ahead of the knockout stages, where they are set to face either defending champions Ivory Coast or Cameroon.

Aubrey Modiba. Photo: Bafana Bafana

“We started very well with good football and good circulation of the ball, and until we scored the goal, everything was under control,” said Broos. “But then, for one reason or another, we made the same mistakes as in previous games – bad passes, poor positioning, and not doing the defensive work properly.

“You give the opponent the chance to be dangerous, and if you look at their first goal, one player runs past three or four of our players without a tackle. If you defend like that, you will concede goals every game.

“It was the same in the second half. We dominated again, had control of the ball and scored, but then we stopped doing the things we needed to do. We couldn’t keep possession, played too much through the middle, lost the ball and allowed Zimbabwe to play in transition.

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“I can’t be happy about that. Attacking football is important, but defending is just as important, and right now that is our problem. 

“We have six days before the next game, and we have to fix this and get back to keeping clean sheets. That was one of our strengths at the last AFCON, and now it has become a weakness. If we continue giving opponents these opportunities, it will be very difficult to win our next match.”

Bafana Bafana will remain in Marrakech until later in the week before travelling to Rabat for their Last 16 clash on Sunday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh