FULLTIME: SOUTH AFRICA 2- 0 ANGOLA
South Africa will attempt to kick their 2013 African Cup of Nations campaign off a second time when they face Angola on Wednesday.
The Bafana team look a bit tense and they also look nervous because of the drew 0-0 in their opener against Cape Verde, while Angola didn’t fare much better but should be commended for holding Morocco scoreless. Group A is finely poised as everyone has a point apiece with no goals to show for their efforts, so round two of fixtures is sure to have a telling impact on the final standing.
Group: Group A, first game
At: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Date: 23/01/2013
Kick off: (17:00), 3.00pm
South Africa :
Khune, Ngcongca,
Khumalo, Sangweni,
Masilela, Furman,
Mahlungu, Phala,
Parker, Rantie, Mphela.
Angola :
Lama, Lunguinha,
Massunguna, Dede,
Miguel, Bastos,
Pirolito, Geraldo,
Mateus, Guilherme, Manucho.
Referee: K. Coulibaly
We’re minutes from kick-off now, the vuvuzelas are out in full force yet again – let’s hope that the great atmosphere can inspire some goals! There are noticeable changes for South Africa too; it seemed Igesund wasn’t suitably impressed with their opening match!
Ooooh! Mateus claims the first chance of the game! A quick break left the midfielder with plenty of space at the edge of South Africa’s area; however he drags his shot wide.
South Africa however, claim the first free kick, after Massunguna was penalised for a holding his man back.
Angola needs to be a little more careful, they’ve given away numerous free-kicks in dangerous areas and they are only ten minutes in! Angola have to resist heavy pressure in these opening exchanges, however they have looked fairly dangerous on the break. As the hosts have their tails up, attacking on the counter could be a viable option for Ferrin’s men.
Angola has looked fairly toothless so far, but you can sense that Manucho may well be their only hope. He’s competed well in the air against Khumalo, that’s for sure, as the POAK defender dominated aerially versus Cape Verde.
South Africa has been superior in every department so far; they looked totally different side to the one who played out a goalless draw against Cape Verde. I suppose Igesund has changed almost half of the starting line-up!
In 30minutes, GOALLL! Sangweni a player of South Africa scored!! A defender grabs the host’s first goal of the tournament, and it takes it fantastically, volleying home a looped ball at the back post!
Angola have Pirolito to thank as the midfielder drops back to cover and shepherd the ball back to Lama, after Dede almost gave South Africa a second goal with a lazy backpass. Angola now manage to throw together another meaningful attack, but Matheus gets the ball stolen of his boot, just before he attempts a strike at Khune’s goal!
Angola don’t appear to have a backbone, they’re being manipulated and soundly beaten by a far superior South African side. Dean Furman has been a welcome addition for Bafana Bafana, I would say, as he’s actually something of a chassis for the team. A chassis they didn’t really have against Cape Verde.
Oooh! Khune almost costs his team a goal, as the South Africa goalkeeper hesitates before racing out to clear the ball at the edge of his box. Manucho was inches from getting to the ball first, and if he had the score may well have been levelled!
Ooooh! Angola could have levelled the scores! Mathues could, and probably should have scored, after the ball fell to him in plenty of space at the back post! The hosts break up the other end, and Parker manages to test Lama. end-to-end stuff!
The Angolan’s bench are going wild; all of the substitutes are out of their seats! It seems as though the officials forgot to signal an Angolan substitute at half time! How bizarre.
Lunguinha gave the ball away for his side, allowing South Africa to pump a ball forward to Mphela, but Massunguna manages to intervene and defused the danger. A moment later, the Angolan defender picks up a yellow card for a terrible tackle on Rantie.
Angola has every right to be aggrieved with some of the referee’s decisions during this game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few more cards for the visitors before the final whistle; patience seems to be wearing thin!
In 62minutes, GOAL! Majoro! The substitute slides the ball between the legs of Lama to give the hosts a seemingly unassailable lead! Great finish!
However, the South African wall does its job and diverts the ball behind for a corner. Khune flaps at the resulting delivery, finger-tipping it out for another corner. South Africa are under aerial siege at the minute!
Angola are actually retaining possession quite well now, but it’s too little too late. Amaro is writhing around on the floor, seemingly after being caught by Ngcongca
There’s an example of Khune’s great distribution! After plucking a Manucho header out of the air, the South African goalkeeper launches the ball down at the other end of the pitch, setting up a counter attack. Fantastic ball.
Now it’s a matter of running down the clock for the hosts. Their second half performance hasn’t been brilliant, but it’s been enough to keep the Angolan duo of Manucho and Guilherme quiet – and that pair ran riot against Morocco at times.
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