Bafana Bafana reach the round of 16

South Africa booked their place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe.

Bafana Bafana needed just a point to secure their place in the last 16 but were made to work hard by neighbors Zimbabwe in Marrakech.

Oswin Appollis' 82nd-minute penalty secured South Africa's victory, but only after a major scare from Zimbabwe.

South Africa places in the round of 16

South Africa needed just seven minutes to break the deadlock, with Tshepang Moremi finding the net with a sharply deflected effort that rounded struck goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Yet Zimbabwe equalized 12 minutes later, Tawanda Maswanhise firing into the bottom left corner after a fine run into the box.

South Africa restored the lead five minutes into the second half, Lyle Foster pounced on a defensive error to beat Arubi to a free ball to head home.

Appollis was then denied by Arubi, before Maswanhise clipped the post at the other end.

Yet Zimbabwe were handed a lifeline in their hopes of progress when Aubrey Modiba scored an own goal 17 minutes from the end of normal time.

But they were unable to complete the turnaround and, after Marvelous Nakamba was judged to have handled in the area following a VAR review, Appollis converted from 12 yards to seal the points and second place in Group B behind Egypt. Zimbabwe joins Angola in exiting the tournament.