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South Africa national football team
Africa Cup of Nations | Group Stage
Jan 23, 2013 at 3pm UK
 
Angola national football team

2-0

Live Commentary: South Africa 2-0 Angola - as it happened

Live coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations game between South Africa and Angola.
2

South Africa put their first game of the Africa Cup of Nations behind them to take a 2-0 win against Angola.

Siyabonga Sangweni struck in the first half for the host nation, having dominated the opening period of the game.

After the break, Lehlohonolo Majoro came off the bench to score the Bafana Bafana's second and seal the win.

Angola had a few chances in the second half, but rarely threatened the South Africa goal.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good afternoon. It's 30 minutes until kickoff in the first game of the second round of group fixtures. We're still awaiting team news for the match, but the hosts are expected to make changes after a disappointing start to their campaign against Cape Verde, which also saw them pick up a couple of injuries.

Right, the teams have been named, let's take a look at the starting lineups.

South Africa starting XI: Itumeleng Khune, Anele Ngcongca, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangwemi, Tsepo Masilela, Dean Furman, May Mahlangu, Thusa Phala, Bernard Parker, Katlego Mphelo, Tokelo Rantie.

Angola starting XI: Lama, Languingha, Bastos, Dani Massunguna, Miguel, Pirolito, Dede, Mateus, Geraldo, Guilherme Afonso, Manucho

Manucho will be the main goal threat for Angola. The former Manchester United player, who now plays his club football with Real Valladolid, has 21 goals in 38 appearances for his country.

Oldham's Dean Furman comes in for South Africa, after the host nations picked up a couple of knocks in their opening match. Katlego Mphela also comes in to the starting lineup, having been rested in the opening game.

South Africa are making their eighth appearance in the tournament, having one the Cup in 1996. The nation is currently ranked in the top 16 sides in Africa, but qualifies as the host nation.

Angola have featured in the Cup six times before, twice qualifying for the quarter-finals. Their coach is targeting a top-three finish this time around.

Ahead of the match, South Africa coach Gordon Igesund told BBC Sport: "Our players want to emulate [the 1996 Cup-winning team], the nation wants the current players to emulate that team, and the stars who won the title 17 years ago want my team to succeed."

Angola's Manucho said: "Our performance against Morocco was satisfactory. I came close a few times and it is encouraging that we created chances."

With the hosts in action, it's a bigger crowd at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban than we have seen over the last couple of days. It's not quite a sell-out, but there aren't that many empty seats in the 54,000 seater ground.

The players are walking out of the tunnel, ready for the national anthems ahead of kickoff.

There's a decent smattering of support for Angola amongst the crowd, plenty of flags being waved during the national anthem.

Khumalo and Manucho are wearing the captain's armbands this afternoon. They will take the fair play pledge before the game gets underway.

Angola get the first half underway.

A physical start by Angola. South Africa's Tokelo Rantie charges down the wing in an early attacking move by the host nations, but he's caught in the face by a flailing arm. The referee doesn't give anything for it though.

CHANCE! Geraldo intercepts a Furman pass and gets the ball to Pirolito who takes the ball towards the host's goal, setting up Mateus for a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but his effort goes just wide. It's been a bright start from Angola.

South Africa get a free kick down the other end of the pitch. Mphela gets a header, but it's well off-target and goes behind for a goal kick. Both sides look keen to get the first goal in Group A.

Phala is penalised for a shove on Dani Massunguna, as the Angola defender was trying to clear the ball. The kick launched an Angola counter-attack, and they take the ball right up to the South Africa penalty box, before Manucho gets his first effort of the game.

Mphela has a run down the right wing, but he has no support in the box so has to go for the shot himself, but doesn't trouble Lama in the Angola goal.

South Africa get another free kick around 20 yards out. A curling kick in to the box allows Khumalo to get up high for a header, but the Bafana Bafana captain just missed the net. South Africa look strong at the minute.

Phala gives the ball to Rantie to the right of the Angola goal, but the South Africa striker is challenged and the ball goes behind for a corner.

Angola clear corner, but South Africa quickly will the ball back. The hosts are playing at a much greater tempo than at the weekend, and it feels like they do have a goal in them early in this game.

Manucho surges down the wing towards the South Africa goal, but he lacks support in the box and has to go backwards to find a teammate. Angola are dispossessed in midfield. Massunguna gets a cross in but it's cleared. South Africa get another chance but Mphela is flagged offside.

Rantie breaks in to the box, but he's tackled as he releases the ball, causing him to scuff the ball. It's hard to tell from the result whether the South African was attempting a cross or a shot. Either way the ball went out, and it's Angola's ball.

The ball is crossed to Mphela in the box. Lama comes to make the save. The South African gets a foot to the ball, but the keeper had done enough the ensure it went behind.

Angola haven't really had much of a contribution to this match so far, South Africa have dominated the opening period in possession and have had a couple of decent chances, but nothing that has caused too much concern for Lama in the Angolan goal.

Angola are having their first real spell of possession at the moment, but they're struggling to penetrate the final third of the pitch.

Angola lose the ball, and the host nation are immediately on the attack again. A great build up between Mphela and Rantie is wasted though, when the latter sends the ball in to the stands.

Rantie unleashes his pace down the left sideline and looks to get a cross in to the box, but he's tackled and knocks the ball out for an Angola throw in. He and Mphela have both had quite an impact for South Africa so far in this match.

Tsepo Masilela fouls Mateus on the wing, conceding a free kick. Geraldo and Mateus take the ball towards the South Africa goal, but the Bafana Bafana are quick to read the danger and get the ball away before Angola have a shot.

GOAL! South Africa 1-0 Angola (Sangweni)

Angola concede a free kick when Massunguna catches Rantie in the face with a loose arm. The kick falls to defender Siyabonga Sangweni, who superbly strikes the ball on the half-volley from the edge of the area. It's been a long wait for the first goal of Group A, but it was a cracker!

From the restart, Angola are on the charge, and force a corner. The corner targets Manucho but it's put behind for another corner, which is then cleared by the host nation.

Phala picks up the ball in midfield and charges towards the Angola penalty box. Geraldo intercepts and puts the ball out for a corner.

Khumalo goes for the header off the corner, but he's being closely marked, and Angola force his effort behind. Angola immediately go on the counter.

A stunning run from Mahlangu gets the ball back in the final third for South Africa. The midfielder fails to notice his teammates in support and goes for goal himself, but he scuffs the shot.

Rantie has been very busy this half, he's already run over 3,300 metres.

Angola get a free kick around 25 yards out, but Pirilito's delivery lacks power, and is easily cleared by South Africa. However, Manucho gets it back and takes it back towards the host's goal, Khune having to come a long way to get the ball away from his goal.

Down the other end of the pitch, Mphela looks to slot the ball in for Rantie, but Massunguna is their to put the ball out for a thrown in.

The last couple of minutes have been a bit quiet, both teams taking the ball from one penalty to the other, but neither able to create a goal-scoring opportunity.

CHANCE! Manucho gets the ball in midfield and drives towards the South Africa goal, he looks to set up Mateus, whose shot goes well high.

CHANCE! Khune's goal kick immediately launches a counter-attack, and Bernard Parker gets a shot away from just inside the penalty area, forcing a save from Lama.

Just the one minute of stoppage time to be played.

HALF-TIME: South Africa 1-0 Angola

What a difference 45 minutes makes! South Africa were practically written off after their lackluster performance against Cape Verde on Saturday, but they've looked sharp, creative and attacking in their first half against Angola today.

The introduction and Katlego Mphelo has had a huge impact for the hosts. His pace has given Angola plenty of issues, allowing the striker to set up a number of chances for the hosts.

Angola had just two chances of note in the opening half, both falling to Mateus, but both of the Nacional forward's efforts were well off target

Sangweni's goal half an hour in to the game was just fantastic. Having watched his teammate Tsepo Masilela miss the ball, he struck it beautifully while rising off the ground, giving Lama no chance in the Angola goal.

Let's have a quick look at some of the stats from the first half. South Africa had 56% of the possession compared to 44% for Angola.

The Bafana Bafana had seven shots compared to the two from Mateus for Angola. Two of the host's efforts were on target, while Angola are yet to trouble Itumeleng Khune in the South Africa goal.

There was little intervention needed from referee Komlan Coulibaly. Aside from a few flailing arms resulting in free kicks, there was little to catch the officials eyes, with no booking in the opening 45 half.

The players are heading back out to pitch ready for the second half.

South Africa get the second half underway.

South Africa get the second half underway.

SUBSTITUTION! May Mahlangu has not returned for the second half, Reneilwe Letsholonyane coming on in his place for South Africa

SUBSTITUTION! Angola also make a change but they hadn't got their fresh player ready by the time the ref started the second half, and have to put the ball out of play in order to make the change. Djalma Campos is on for Geraldo.

Angola have started the second half with a good spell of possession, with South Africa take the ball away from them on the edge of the penalty area, Mphela looking for a shot, but Angola make the clearance.

BOOKING! Dani Massunguna is the first player to be shown a yellow card after a clumsy challenge on Rantie. They had a few comings together in the first half too, but he'll have to be careful for the remainder of the match.

CHANCE! Mateus makes a stunning run towards the South Africa goal. He passes it off to Afonso who hits the ball sweetly from the middle of the penalty box, and Khune has to make a good save to deny Angola the equaliser.

CHANCE! Down the other end, Dean Furman has a curling effort from the edge of the box, and Lama just nudges the ball wide with his fingertips for a corner, which is then cleared by Angola. It's been an aggressive start by both teams so far in the second half.

Afonso gets a chance for a header, but he's being closely marked by Masilela and puts the ball out.

South Africa are on the attack again, Rantie using a couple of step-overs to get the better of the Angola defence, and he forces a corner.

SUBSTITUTION! It's a surprising one from South Africa. Tokelo Rantie goes off, and is replaced by Lehlohonolo Majoro, who didn't have the biggest impact against Cape Verde. Rantie is getting some attention on the bench, it looks like he may have picked up an injury somewhere along the way.

The Bafana Bafana's corner comes to nothing as Lama claims the ball comfortably, sending Angola back towards the South Africa goal.

GOAL! South Africa 2-0 Angola (Majoro)

Campos looks to set up Manucho for an Angola equaliser, but the South African back four take the ball away from him. Majoro gets the ball on the edge of the area, and it's a clinical finish from the substitute.

SUBSTITUTION! Dede goes off for Angola, Gilberto coming on in his place.

A high pass forward drop the Mphela on the edge of the Angola penalty box, but he's got company and can't take the ball cleanly enough to have a shot.

CHANCE! Down the other end, Lunguinha takes the ball in to the area, and decides to take the shot himself, but his effort lacks power and is easily stopped by Khune.

The action is end-to-end at the moment, both sides have been great on the counter in the second half, and it's difficult to predict what the final score will be. If both teams can improve their accuracy, there are definitely more goals to be had in this attacking game.

CHANCE! Mateus is challenged at the sideline and loses the ball, resulting in another good chance for Majoro. Lama leaves it, but it's just inches wide.

Angola have a free kick near the South Africa penalty area, with Khumalo pulling Mateus down.

Gilberto's strike is deflected by the wall to give Angola a corner. Khune gets his fingers to the ball, but it goes out for another corner, which is eventually knocked behind by Manucho for a goal kick.

SUBSTITUTION! South Africa make their last change, Mphela going off after a heavy shift, Oupa Manyisa is on for the clearly fatigued striker

A bit of the pace has gone out of the game in the last couple of minutes, which is not surprising given the end-to-end nature of the game.

Angola make a charge towards the South Africa goal, but Furman takes the ball away and lobs it to the sideline. Phala gets the ball and takes it towards the Angola box for a shot, but he's being marked closely, and scuffs the ball well wide.

Neither side are keeping possession well in the closing stages of this match. The ball changes sides several times in a midfield exchange, before Angola eventually manage to take the ball towards the final third.

CHANCE! Manucho gets the ball for Angola and goes for a header, but Khune is ready to make just his second save of the match. The La Liga striker gets another chance a minute later, but the South Africa stopper gathers the ball again.

SUBSTITUTION! Guilherme Afonso goes off in the last change of the game, and Angola throw on Amaro, as they try take something from this game.

Amaro's first contribution is an Oscar-worthy performance. He fouls Ngcongca, then drops to the ground clasping his face. Impressive!

CHANCE! Manucho gets yet another chance, but fires the ball directly to Khune, South Africa immediately take the ball down the other end, but Parker's effort soars both high and wide.

There will be three minutes of stoppage time.

The crowd are starting to make some noise as they realise they're about to see their side win. The stadium is also quite a bit fuller than it was at the start.

Majoro looks to crown the performance with his second and the hosts third, but Lama comes out and punches the ball away. Majoro stays down and being struck by the keeper.

Once Majoro is up, that should be about it. He seems to be in quite some pain unfortunately, and is going to be stretchered off.

FULL-TIME: South Africa 2-0 Angola

On the whole, an impressive performance from South Africa. The host nation didn't make the most of their chances in the first half, but were still able to take the lead, and then seal the win in the second half.

Angola were better in the second half, almost equalising just ahead of Majoro's goal. They'll be disappointed with how they played in the opening 45 minutes.

It was a worrying end to the game for Majoro, who left the field on a stretcher following a collision with Lama, but he's hobbling around with his teammates as they applaud their fans before heading in to the tunnel. South Africa will hope he's ready for their final match of the group stages against Morocco on Sunday.

Well that's all from the first of today's Africa Cup of Nations matches. Join us again from 5.30pm as we build up to the other Group A match between Morocco and Cape Verde, with live updates throughout the match from 6pm. Thanks for joining me this afternoon, good bye!

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Equatorial Guinea flag Eq Guinea32107
Q Nigeria Nigeria32107
Q Cote D'Ivoire flag Ivory Coast31023
4 Guinea-Bissau flag Guinea-Bissau30030

Group B

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Q Cape Verde flag Cape Verde32107
Q Egypt Egypt30303
3 Ghana flag Ghana30212
4 Mozambique flag Mozambique30212

Group C

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Q Senegal flag Senegal33009
Q Guinea flag Guinea31114
Q Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Gambia flag Gambia30030

Group D

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Q Angola Angola32107
Q Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso31114
Q Mauritania flag Mauritania31023
4 Algeria Algeria30212

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Mali flag Mali31205
Q South Africa South Africa31114
Q Namibia Namibia31114
4 Tunisia Tunisia30212

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q DR Congo flag Congo DR30303
3 Tanzania flag Tanzania30212
4 Zambia flag Zambia30212


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