Talking points: Bafana break AFCON opener curse as Angola win signals new belief

TEETERING on the brink of despair for just over two decades, Bafana Bafana transformed years of anxiety and disappointment into triumph-at least for the moment.

- HERMAN GIBBS

Monday night's win over Angola represents not just a momentary success, but a shift in the trajectory of South African football. This victory restores hope after years of underperformance in high-pressure AFCON opening games.

This crucial result marked a significant turning point in South African football history and was one of the major talking points from the Group B opener in Morocco on Monday evening.

Remember Tunisia 2004

The last time Bafana Bafana won their opening AFCON match was a 2-0 triumph over Benin in 2004, courtesy of a brace from Siyabonga Nomvethe. Since then, South Africa had gone winless in their opening six AFCON fixtures.

On Monday evening in Morocco, that barren run finally ended. With the scores level at one goal apiece, Tshepang Moremi orchestrated a cleverly timed 71st-minute pass to Lyle Foster, positioned just outside the box. Foster unleashed a stunning strike into the right side of the net.