Despite walking away with the man of the match award, Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster says collecting maximum points was crucial ahead of the second match against Egypt.
South Africa won their first AFCON opening game after six previous failed attempts. They drew two (2008, 2013) and lost the other four (2006, 2015, 2019, 2024).
Foster recorded his name on the scoresheet with a sublime winner in the 79th minute as South Africa narrowly beat Angola 2-1 to move top of Group B at the Stade de Marrakech on Monday night.
The Burnley striker emphasized on how they came out as a different side in the second period which ultimately saw them walk away with the three points.
“It’s a nice trophy [MOTM award] but most importantly we needed the three points today,” he said in his post-match interview on SABC Sport.
“Tough first half. I think we started the game well, afterwards we grew into it.
“So, we had to be very hard at half-time to be honest with ourselves.
“Second half we came out, I think we showed a different team, we got the winning goal.
“Thank God. Happy now, now we move on to the next one.”
Bafana next take on the Pharaohs on Friday, 26 December.
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