By Arinze Ude.
Host nation, South Africa played their second match of the tournament against Angola while the debutants, Cape Verde looked to cause an upset against the Moroccans.
SOUTH AFRICA 2 – 1 ANGOLA
South Africa’s coach, Gordon Igesund made five changes to the team that played out an unimpressive draw against Cape Verde in the opening game of the tournament with Dean Furman, Katlego Mphela, Rantie, Masilela and Mahlangu coming in for Tshabalala, Majoro, Dikgacoi, Letsholonyane and Matlaba, as his side looked for a better result this time out.
The hosts took the lead through an unlikely source when centre back, Sangweni smashed home a shot after the Angolan defence failed to clear their lines.
It was the first goal in more than three and a half hours of football in Group A.
Substitute Majoro made the game safe when he evaded a challenge from an Angolan defender before slotting the ball through the legs of the goal keeper.
South Africa’s Line Up:
16 Khune – 03 Masilela, 05 Ngcongca, 14 Khumalo, 21 Sangweni – 15 Furman, 18 Thuso Phala, 19 Mahlangu (Letsholonyane – 46′) -09 Mphela (Manyisa – 78′), 17 Parker, 23 Rantie (Majoro – 58′)
Subs: 01 Sandilands, 22 Meyiwa, 02 Gaxa, 04 Nthethe, 11 Matlaba, 08 Tshabalala, 10 Serero, 12 Letsholonyane, 20 Manyisa, 07 Majoro
Angola’s Line Up:
01 Lama – 03 Lunguinha, 04 Massunguna (Booked), 13 Bastos, 15 Miguel – 06 Dede (Gilberto – 65′), 16 Pirolito, 18 Da Costa (Djalma – 46′) – 09 Manucho, 17 Mateus, 23 Afonso (Costa – 85′)
Subs: 12 Landu, 22 Neblu, 02 Airosa, 05 Fabricio, 10 Zuela, 14 Costa, 20 Mingo Bile, 07 Djalm, 08 Dinis, 11 Gilberto, 21 Manuel, 19 Yano
Ref: K CoulibalyAtt: 40,000MOROCCO 1 – 1 CAPE VERDE
Lucio Antunes’ men were 12-minutes away from an historic upset.
Cape Verde striker, Platini had given his side the lead with a delightful chip over Moroccan keeper, Nadir Lamyaghri in the first half.
This goal is Cape Verde’s first ever goal at The African Cup of Nations.
Moroccans rallied back and threw everything at the opponents. Their pressure paid off when El Arabi placed Barrada’s cut back into the net on 78minutes.
The result puts Morocco and Cape Verde on two points apiece in Group A, behind hosts South Africa, who lead the group on four points , and ahead of Angola, who trail with one point.
Morocco’s Line Up:
01 Lamyaghri – 02 Chakir (Booked), 03 Bergdich, 05 Benatia, 17 El Adoua – 07 Barrada (Booked), 08 El Ahmadi, 10 Belhanda (Chafni – 65′), 11 Assaidi (Belghazouani – 54′) – 14 El Hamdaoui, 21 Amrabat (El Arabi – 46′ Booked)
Subs: 12 Zniti, 22 Askri, 04 Kantari, 15 El Kaoutari, 16 Noussir, 06 Hermach, 13 Kaddioui, 19 Chafni, 09 El Arabi, 18 Belghazouani, 20 Hamdallah, 23 Abdelilah Elhafidi
Cape Verde Line Up:
01 Vozinha – 03 Varela, 06 Neves (Booked), 08 Varela, 14 Gege – 18 Nivaldo, 05 Babanco, 07 Platini (Souto – 71′), 15 Soares – 11 Tavares (Ramos – 90′), 20 Ryan Booked (Heldon – 75′)
Subs: 12 Fock, 16 Rilly, 13 Lima, 19 Pecks, 23 Carlitos, 02 Stenio, 04 Ramos, 17 Souto, 22 Silva, 09 Rambe, 10 Heldon, 21 Djaniny
Ref: Janny SikazweAtt: 25,000
