Bafana rally to beat Angola

Cape Town - South Africa on Tuesday came from a goal down to beat Angola 2-1 in their international friendly clash at Cape Town Stadium.

Bafana Bafana were the first to set an attacking move only for the referee to blow for off-side with Ayanda Patosi attacking down the right flank just three minutes into the game.

Angola also had a chance in the tenth minute, but Rivaldo Coetzee was able to clear the danger.

Shakes Mashaba’s side were mounting pressure on the visiting team as the game approached the first 20 minutes, but nothing came out of it as Thamsanqa Gabuza headed a ball from Patosi wide.

However, it would be the Palancas Negras opening the scoring in the 25th minute as Alexander Cristovao Mfutila scored with a powerful strike from range against the run of play.

Bafana Bafana picked up the tempo and were able to launch more attacks on Angola in search of the equalising goal, but nothing materialised as the game approached the half-time break.

The home team had another chance in the 41st minute as Thulani Serero played in Gabuza only for Angola defender, Mafuta, reacting quickly to clear the ball before it connected with the lanky Orlando Pirates striker.

South Africa persisted with their attacks which lead to the equalising goal as Gabuza pounced on a loose ball in the box for the equaliser from the ball that was initially played by Patosi.

It made the scores level at 1-1 at half-time.

Angola were the first to create another counter-attack in the second half with winger Zalata beating Patrick Phungwayo for pace down the right hand side only for the cross to be cleared by Coetzee again.

The young Ajax Cape Town defender was on hand again to deny the goal-scorer, Mafutila, to protect his goalkeeper in the 56th minute.

Mashaba reacted by taking off Phungwayo and replaced him with Thabo Matlaba in the 59^th minute.

Patosi, who looked the main man for South Africa in attack, had a busy afternoon and was in the thick of things as South Africa searched for the winning goal.

South Africa took the lead for the first time in 68th minute as Angolan defender, Malanda, ran into Patosi’s ball that hit the cross bar and back into the field for Patosi to hand the home side the advantage.

Substitute Bongi Ntuli, introduced for Gabuza, was heavily involved in the build-up in scoring the goal.

Serero also looked lively towards the end of the match, while Angola’s goalkeeper, Mavanga, pulled a great save at his near post to deny Ntuli a goal.

Angola broke on the counter-attack with eight minutes to full-time, but Matlaba managed to make a fine tackle to stop them as they looked for the equaliser.

Both teams made a number of changes towards the end of the game, but South Africa held on despite scary attempts from Angola to win the match.

SA starting XI v Angola:

Itumeleng Khune (GK), Anele Ngcongca (captain), Rivaldo Coetzee, Clayton Daniels, Patrick Phungwayo, Bongani Zungu, May Mahlangu, Jabulani Shongwe, Thulani Serero, Ayanda Patosi, Thamsanqa Gabuza

Substitutes: Jackson Mabokgwane, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Andile Jali, Mandla Masango, Sphelele Ntshangase, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Tshepo Gumede, Thabo Matlaba, Gift Motupa, Marc van Heerden, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Siyabonga Nhlapho

Not considered for the match: Brilliant Khuzwayo, Vuyisile Wana, Thuso Phala, Oupa Manyisa (injured)