Despite failing to score in their 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Gambia last weekend, South Africa beat Angola by 2-1 in an international friendly at a chilly Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday.
Both sides started on a high with the visitors chasing an opener when they received a free-kick in the 14th minute, but Angola sent it straight to Itumeleng Khune who was well positioned to collect.
Shakes Mashaba’s men constantly kept Angola under pressure and two minutes later, Ayanda Patosi delivered a pin point corner to Thamsanqa Gabhuza, however, his free header went wide.
Thulani Serero continued to dominate the midfield after 20 minutes of play as he set up Patosi in the box, but his cross to find Jabulani Shongwe was wasted and went to the keeper.
In the 24th minute, Alexander Mfutila beat Khune with a stunning shot that went to the roof of the net away from the edge of the box after a good run from the middle.
After 30 minutes of play, Bafana tried to respond instantly when a beautiful movement into the box left Mashaba’s men crying for a penalty, but the official waved play on when the Angolan defence clearly impeded Serero.
In the last five minutes of the first stanza, Bafana continued to probe for an equaliser with Serero making a great turn set up Gabhuza who was let down by his first touch and the Angolans cleared the ball for a corner.
With just under two minutes to go in the half, Gabhuza netted his first for Bafana after pouncing on a rebound. A cross from Patrick Phungwayo was cleared by the defence and met by May Mahlangu who unleashed a bullet which was saved by the keeper, but Gabhuza managed to convert to level matters.
Bafana continued where they left off with in the second half.
Beautiful football from Bafana saw Patosi finishing calmly in the 68th minute when he put his country ahead. A pass from the right found Serero in the box who played the Khayelitsha-born player on and his chip was difficult for the keeper and the defender who tried to clear. However, the goal was given an own goal by Malanda.
Mashaba’s men continued to surge forward aiming to add goals, but the Angolan keeper was stable and kept the South Africans at bay.
Pushing for an equaliser, Angola nearly made it two in the dying minutes of the match when Estevao cleverly chipped the oncoming Khune, but Thabo Matlaba was quick to make a clearance on the goal line as Bafana bagged the win.
South Africa: (1) (2) (Gabhuza 45+2’, Malanda 68’ og)
Angola: (1) (Mfutila 25’)
South Africa: Khune, Daniels (Hlatshwayo 73’), Phungwayo (Matlaba 59’), Ngcongca (Nyauza 85’), Coetzee, Zungu, Serero, Shongwe (Jali 84’), Mahlangu, Gabhuza (Ntuli 64’), Patosi (Masango 89’)
Angola: Mavanga, Mafuta, Bondo David, Troco, Estevao, Satonho, Diniz, Justo, Zalata (Malanda 62’), Mfutila, Ginga Luis
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