SOCCER: Foster's sweet strike fires South Africa to 2-1 victory over Angola

Lyle Foster scored a superb winner from outside the box as South Africa defeated Angola 2-1 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B match in Marrakech on Monday, marking the first time they have won their opening game at the continental finals in 21 years.

South Africa largely deserved the nervy victory after having a goal disallowed and hitting the crossbar, although Angola also created several chances and will feel disappointed not to have taken at least a point from the contest.

Bafana Bafana took the lead in the 21st minute when Oswin Appollis showed neat footwork inside the penalty area to create space for a shot, calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner. Angola responded before halftime, however, as Show got a slight touch on Fredy’s free kick to guide the ball into the net and level the score.

The decisive moment came in the 79th minute when Foster was set up about 20 meters from goal and curled a brilliant shot into the top corner, giving the bronze medalists from two years ago a positive start to their campaign.

South Africa produced a workmanlike performance despite lacking the number of players in top European leagues enjoyed by some of their rivals. Foster, who plays for Premier League club Burnley, is their only representative at that level. Still, the team showed cohesion and discipline under Belgian coach Hugo Broos, doing enough to secure three valuable points.

The result puts South Africa in a strong position to reach the knockout rounds, with Egypt and Zimbabwe set to meet later on Monday in the same group.

Even First Half

South Africa opened the scoring after a spell of sustained possession that began with Khuliso Mudau’s cross. The ball was touched by both Sipho Mbule and Foster before Appollis beat two defenders and side-footed his shot into the bottom corner.

Angola equalized in the 35th minute when Fredy’s low free kick was flicked into the net by Show, marking his second goal in his 50th international appearance and sending the teams into halftime level at 1-1.

South Africa thought they had regained the lead when halftime substitute Tshepang Moremi turned his marker and fired low into the net, but a VAR review ruled that Foster was offside in the buildup.

Later, Mbekezeli Mbokazi struck the crossbar with a powerful effort from 35 yards before Foster’s clinical strike sealed the victory.

-Reporting by Nick Said; editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters