Zimbabwe suffered a 3–2 loss to South Africa in their final Group B game played at Marrakech Stadium on Monday.
The result ended the Warriors’ hopes of reaching the Round of 16 for the first time in their history after finishing at the bottom of the group.
South Africa started brightly, with early efforts from Oswin Appollis and Sipho Mbule setting the pace. Their pressure paid off in the seventh minute when Tshepang Moremi’s effort took a deflection off Divine Lunga and crept into the net.
The Warriors responded with intent and grew into the game, with Tawanda Maswanhise threatening in behind before eventually producing a moment of brilliance in the 19th minute. The winger drove past three defenders and calmly finished past Ronwen Williams to level matters.
The game went into the break with both teams level at 1–1.
The second half opened with South Africa dictating the tempo before striking again when Lyle Foster intercepted Lunga’s loose headed pass and finished clinically to restore their lead.
Zimbabwe refused to fold and came close through Maswanhise, whose powerful effort from inside the box crashed against the upright. The pressure eventually yielded in the 74th minute when the Scotland-based forward’s shot was blocked by Williams and Aubrey Modiba turned the rebound into his own net to make it 2–2.
The Warriors then had a golden opportunity to go ahead late on, but substitute Macaulay Bonne was denied in a one-on-one by another crucial save from Williams.
South Africa capitalised moments later as captain Marvelous Nakamba was penalised for handball, allowing Appollis to convert from the spot in the 81st minute.
The game ended in favour of South Africa, who joined Egypt in qualifying for the Round of 16.
Angola finished third with two points following their goalless draw against Egypt.
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