Bafana Bafana coach, Gordon Igesund became the toast of the nation when his gamble with the starting line-up paid off, earning South Africa a first win in the tournament in nine years when they beat Angola 2-0. With a younger team, Bafana displayed a much-improved performance against The Antelopes.
Now the host team, upstarts Cape Verde, Angola and former champions Morocco have all to play for going into the final round of Group A matches Sunday at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Bafana Bafana won at the competition for the first time in nine years with Siyabonga Sangweni and Lehlohonolo Majoro scoring to deliver a 2-0 victory yesterday over Angola in Indian Ocean city Durban.
Debutants Cape Verde, the tiny 10-island state of 500,000 people off the Senegalese coast, led through a Platini goal against Morocco until Youssef El Arabi salvaged a 1-1 draw with a late goal.
South Africa, much improved after a turgid showing in a goalless weekend draw with Cape Verde, top the table with four points after two rounds. Cape Verde and Morocco have two each and Angola one.
“I gambled today because it was a must-win situation. We had four defenders, one holding midfielder and the other five players were committed to attacking.”
Durban will host South Africa and Morocco and fellow Indian Ocean city Port Elizabeth stages Cape Verde against Angola – the first time in the 56-year history of the Africa Cup that two Portuguese-speaking teams meet.
There are endless permutations, including a point being enough to ensure South Africa a place in the quarterfinals and Angola needing maximum points to have any hope of avoiding an early exit.
South Africa coach Gordon Igesund gambled at Moses Mabhida Stadium, making five changes from the first match, and it paid off with much better passing, movement on and off the ball, and finishing.
Centre-back Sangweni punished a poor attempted clearance by Lunguinha to drill the ball across giant goalkeeper Lama into the far corner and end a 315-minute goal drought.
Captain Manucho threatened to equalise twice before half-time and Itumeleng Khune reacted quickly to foil former Swizterland under-21 striker Guilhermo Afonso before Majoro produced the killer blow.
Set free by a pass from fellow substitute Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Majoro atoned for a shocking showing against Cape Verde by fighting off attempts to dispossess him before placing the ball between the legs of Lama.
“I gambled today because it was a must-win situation. We had four defenders, one holding midfielder and the other five players were committed to attacking,” said a relieved Igesund.
“The players believed in themselves – the nerves that affected us so much against Cape Verde were gone.”
Angola coach Gustavo Ferrin said: “It was the same midfield that played against Morocco – unfortunately they could not serve Manucho. South Africa played very well.”
El Arabi, born in France and based in Spain, came on at half-time for Nordin Amrabat and his second-half contribution should see him start against South Africa.
Cape Verde, who owe a first Africa Cup appearance to a shock 3-2 aggregate triumph over four-time champions Cameroon, were the better team throughout the first half and deservedly led through Platini.
Karim El Ahmadi carelessly surrendered possession in midfield, Ryan Mendes burst down the middle and his perfectly timed pass was chipped into the net by the midfielder whose nickname honours former French star Michel Platini.
But Morocco switched to overdrive with time ticking sway and after El Arabi levelled with a low shot past rarely-tested Vozinho, the substitute nearly won the game with a header that flew just wide.
“We made another draw, but we are still alive. I am very happy with this result – a great one for our country. My players worked very well and proved they have qualities,” said Cape Verde coach Luis Antunes.
Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi said: “We did not underestimate our opponents, but we took time to adapt to their style and made individual mistakes in the first half. The second half was better and I have hope for the next game.”
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