VAR finally on Bafana's side as dramatic win seals last-16 spot

FINALLY, with the help of VAR, Lady Luck smiled on Bafana Bafana as they beat Zimbabwe 3-2 at Stade de Marrakech last night in their final AFCON group-stage match to qualify for the last 16.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

WINGER Oswin Appollis scored a late penalty against Zimbabwe to seal Bafana Bafana's passage into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Oswin Appollis scored the winner from the penalty spot in the dying minutes after Bafana’s leads established through Tshepang Moremi and Lyle Foster were cancelled out by Tawanda Maswanhise and an own goal from Aubrey Modiba. Referee Mustapha Kechchaf awarded the spot-kick after consulting the VAR team and pitchside monitor, following the ball striking the hand of a Zimbabwean defender during an attempted clearance.

The VAR decision will please Bafana and their supporters after they felt robbed by two calls that went against them during their 1-0 loss to Egypt in Agadir, having previously beaten Angola 2-1 in the opener. Having finished second in Group B with six points three behind log leaders Egypt Bafana will now face either defending champions Ivory Coast or Cameroon in the knockout stage.