24th January, 2013
Bafana Brighten Q/Final Chances, Beat Angola 2-0
Hosts of 2013 African Cup of Nations, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa now lead their group, after Morocco and Cape Verde played a 1-1 draw.
South Africa had defeated Angola 2-0 in their second group match Wednesday evening at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Siyabonga Sangweni and Lehlohonolo Majoro took Bafana Bafana closer to the next round with two goals, while Angola fired blank in the action packed encounter.
It was a brave performance by the hosts, as Coach Gordon Igesund made five changes to the line-up after their goalless draw with Cape Verde in the opening tie last Saturday.
Katlego Mphela and Tokelo Rantie paired up front, as they terrorised Angola, who edged out Nigeria from the Germany 2006 World Cup finals.
Bafana took the battle to their opponents from the blast of the whistle, but the Palancas Negras of Angola had the first shot at goal.
Mateus caused a stir for the South Africans when his attempt went across the six-yard box and almost beat Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
After surviving the scare, South Africa’s Dean Furman and May Mahlangu broke through Angola’s midfield once more, while Mphela and Rantie were kept busy with passes in the attack.
Defender Siyabonga Sangweni scored the opening goal in the 30th minute, after Bernard Parker’s cross was headed up in the air by Angola’s Lunguinha.
As the ball dropped in front of Sangweni near the back post, the South African perfectly drove a low volley beyond goalkeeper Lama to give the Bafana a deserving 1-0 lead.
The Palancas Negras, also known as the Sable Antelopes, created a clear chance to level score towards end of the first half via Manucho’s looping header, which found Mateus unmarked inside the box, but he ballooned the opportunity.
Angola worked hard to redeem their image in the second half, as their forwards troubled Khune who made some hard saves, including the 52nd minute chance from Afonso.
South Africa responded in the 54th minute when Dean Furman nearly scored his first goal for the hosts. His long range shot was tipped away by Lama, who saved Angola from conceding more goals in the match.
Substitutes; Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Lehlohonolo Majoro however combined to score the crucial second goal deep in the last stanza.
The former’s long pass set the latter into space, and the striker proceeded to beat a defender before scoring with a low shot between the goalkeeper’s legs.
Majoro’s goal wrecked the Angolans, who are now condemned to beat Cape Verde in their last group match next week if they must continue in the tournament.