Assessment, results, objectives of CAN 2025

Burnley striker Lyle Foster’s second-half goal gave South Africa victory over Angola as the sides opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group B campaign in Marrakech on Monday.

Half-time substitute Tshepang Moremi, who had already had a goal disallowed, scored Foster’s goal from outside the area 11 minutes from time, restoring his side’s lead after Show – a pre-match doubt due to illness – pounced on Fredy’s left winger’s cross to draw Angola level 10 minutes before the break.

Oswin Appollis put 2023 semi-finalists Bafana Bafana ahead in the 21st minute with a neat strike from inside the box.

Angola will next face Zimbabwe in Marrakech on Friday (12:30 GMT), while South Africa will face seven-time champions Egypt in Agadir the same day (3:00 p.m.).

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South Africa vs Angola: Foster’s decisive goal

Quarter-finalists two years ago, Angola created many more chances than South Africa before the break but held on after two big scares in the second half for Patrice Beaumelle’s men.

In a thrilling match between teams who frequently played eye-catching football and celebrated their goals with euphoria, Moremi appeared to have restored South Africa’s lead with a smart run and ruthless finish shortly after half-time, only for a check from the video assistant referee to rule him slightly offside.

Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi then hit the crossbar with a long-range shot for South Africa, who will be hoping to maintain the momentum they built during a transformed second half that featured Foster’s thrilling winner.

South Africa team against Angola

South Africa arrived at the tournament with a largely in-form squad, including captain Ronwen Williams, who started in goal.

Veteran midfielder Themba Zwane was left out of the final squad following a decision based on selection and fitness considerations rather than injury.

South Africa starting lineup: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Mohau Nkota, Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Oswin Appollis, Sipho Mbule, Lyle Foster

South Africa substitutes: Ricardo Goss, Tylon Smith, Khulumani Ndamane, Thalente Mbatha, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Elias Mokwana, Bathusi Aubaas, Sipho Chaine, Samukelo Kabini, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Evidence Makgopa, Shandre Campbell, Thabang Matuludi

Angola starting XI against South Africa

Angola were without striker Zine Salvador, who was ruled out of the tournament after suffering an injury at club level.

The midfielder’s show has begun despite missing recent training sessions due to illness.

Angola starting eleven: Hugo Braques, Clinton Mata, Kialonda Gaspar, Jonathan Boatu, Zito Luvumbo, Fred, Show, Maestro, or even Carneiro, Gelson Dala, M’bala Nzola

Angola replaces: Neblu, Nurio Fortuna, David Carmo, Milson, Ary Papel, Signori Antonio, Manuel Benson, Beni, Randy Nteka, Mabululu, Manuel Keliano, Mario Balburdia, Rui Modesto, Chico Banza, Pedro Bondo

South Africa team for CAN 2025

Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Sammukele Kabini (Molde), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers)

Midfield: Assistants Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates)

Advantages: Lyle Foster (Burnley), Elis Pirates (Al, Pirates)

The Angola team for CAN 2025

Goalkeepers: Neblu (First August), Hugo Marques (Petro de Luanda), Dominique (Etoile Carouge).

Defenders: Rui Modesto (Udinese), Eddie Afonso (Petro de Luanda), To Carneiro (AS FAR), Nurio Fortuna (Volos FC), Pedro Bondo (Famalicao), David Carmo (Real Oviedo), Buatu (Gil Vicente), Gaspar (Lecce), Clinton Mata (Lyon).

Midfield: Beni Mukendi (Victoria SC), Show (Kocaelispor), Fredy (Bodrumspor), Maestro (Alanyaspor), Manuel Keliano (Akhmat Grozny), Mario Balburdia (Boluspor).

Advantages: Zito Luvium (Cagliar), Manuel Beens (Swana City), Milson Tripoli), Zine (AHT Athes),

CAN 2025: television channel, live broadcast online

In the UK, live CAN 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channels. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a wide range of devices via Channel 4 website and the beIN Sports app and app.

Which are the host cities for CAN 2025?

Agadir – Grand Stade d’Agadir (capacity – 41,144)

Casablanca – Mohammed V Sports Complex (45,000)

Fes – Fes Sports Complex (35,468)

Marrakech – Grand Stade de Marrakech (41,245)

Rabat – Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex (69,500)

Rabat – Al Barid Stadium (18,000)

Rabat – Olympic Stadium Annex Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex (21,000)

Rabat – Prince Heritier Sports Complex Moulay EL Hassan (22,000)

Tangier – Grand Stade de Tangier (75,600)

We are in!!!#BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/FCBvKpWpHP

-BafanaBafana (@BafanaBafana) December 19, 2025

CAN 2025 schedule, full schedule of the African Cup of Nations

Sunday December 21, 2025

• Group A: Morocco 2-0 Comoros (Rabat)

Monday December 22, 2025

• Group A: Mali 1-1 Zambia (Casablanca)
• Group B: South Africa 2-1 Angola (Marrakech)
• Group B: Egypt – Zimbabwe (Agadir, 8:00 p.m.)

Tuesday December 23, 2025

• Group D: Senegal – Botswana (Tangier, 12:30 p.m.)
• Group D: DR Congo – Benin (Rabat, 3:00 p.m.)
• Group C: Nigeria vs Tanzania (Fez, 5:30 p.m.)
• Group C: Tunisia – Uganda (Rabat, 8:00 p.m.)

Wednesday December 24, 2025

• Group E: Burkina Faso – Equatorial Guinea (Casablanca, 12:30 p.m.)
• Group E: Algeria – Sudan (Rabat, 3:00 p.m.)
• Group F: Ivory Coast – Mozambique (Marrakech, 5:30 p.m.)
• Group F: Cameroon – Gabon (Agadir, 8:00 p.m.)

Friday December 26, 2025

• Group B: Angola – Zimbabwe (Marrakech, 12:30 p.m.)
• Group B: Egypt – South Africa (Agadir, 3:00 p.m.)
• Group A: Zambia – Comoros (Casablanca, 5:30 p.m.)
• Group A: Morocco – Mali (Rabat, 8:00 p.m.)

Saturday December 27, 2025

• Group D: Benin – Botswana (Rabat, 12:30 p.m.)
• Group D: Senegal – DR Congo (Tangier, 3:00 p.m.)
• Group C: Uganda – Tanzania (Rabat 3, 5:30 p.m.)
• Group C: Nigeria – Tunisia (Fez, 8:00 p.m.)

Sunday December 28, 2025

• Group F: Gabon vs Mozambique (Agadir, 12:30)
• Group E: Equatorial Guinea – Sudan (Casablanca, 3:00 p.m.)
• Group E: Algeria – Burkina Faso (Rabat, 5:30 p.m.)
• Group F: Ivory Coast – Cameroon, (Marrakech, 8:00 p.m.)

Monday December 29, 2025

• Group B: Angola – Egypt (Agadir, 4:00 p.m.)
• Group B: Zimbabwe – South Africa (Marrakech, 4:00 p.m.)
• Group A: Comoros – Mali (Casablanca, 7:00 p.m.)
• Group A: Zambia – Morocco (Rabat, 7:00 p.m.)

Tuesday December 30, 2025

• Group C: Tanzania – Tunisia (Rabat, 4:00 p.m.)
• Group C: Uganda – Nigeria (Fez, 4:00 p.m.)
• Group D: Benin – Senegal (Tangier, 7:00 p.m.)
• Group D: Botswana – DR Congo (Rabat, 7:00 p.m.)

Wednesday December 31, 2025

• Group E: Equatorial Guinea – Algeria (Rabat, 4:00 p.m.)
• Group E: Sudan – Burkina Faso (Casablanca, 4:00 p.m.)
• Group F: Gabon – Ivory Coast (Marrakech, 7:00 p.m.)
• Group F: Mozambique vs Cameroon (Agadir, 7:00 p.m.)

2025 African Cup of Nations, round of 16

Saturday January 3, 2026

• SR1: winner of Group D vs third in Group B/E/F (Tangier, 4:00 p.m.)
• SR2: Group A finalists vs Group C finalists (Casablanca, 7:00 p.m.)

Sunday January 4

• SR3: Winner of Group A vs third in Group C/D/E (Rabat, 4:00 p.m.)
• SR4: Vice-champion of Group B vs Vice-champion of Group F (Rabat, 7:00 p.m.)

Monday January 5

• SR5: winner of group B vs third of group A/C/D (Agadir, 6 p.m.)
• SR6: winners of Group C vs thirds of Groups A/B/F (Fez, 8:30 p.m.)

Tuesday January 6

• SR7: Winners of Group E vs finalists of Group D (Rabat 2, 6 p.m.)
• SR8: winners of Group F vs vice-champions of Group E (Marrakech, 8:30 p.m.)

Quarter-finals of the 2025 African Cup of Nations

Friday January 9

• QF1: Winner SR2 vs Winner SR1 (Tangier, 4:00 p.m.)
• QF2: Winner SR4 vs Winner SR3 (Rabat, 7:00 p.m.)

Saturday January 10

• QF3: Winner SR7 vs Winner SR6 (Marrakech, 4:00 p.m.)
• QF4: Winner SR5 vs Winner SR8 (Agadir, 7:00 p.m.)

2025 African Cup of Nations semi-finals

Wednesday January 14

• SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4 (Tangier, 5:00 p.m.)
• SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF2 (Rabat, 8:00 p.m.)

2025 Africa Cup of Nations third place match

Saturday January 17

• SF1 vs SF2 losers (Casablanca, 4:00 p.m.)

2025 African Cup of Nations Final

Sunday January 18

• Winners SF1 vs SF2 (Rabat, 7:00 p.m.)