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Bafana claim vital first-leg victory

Cape Town - South Africa condemned Angola to their first Soccer World Cup qualifying defeat on home soil for 22 years on Friday.

As it happened: Angola v Bafana Bafana

Goals from Tokelo Rantie, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Andile Jali guided Bafana Bafana to a memorable 3-1 first-leg 2018 Soccer World Cup second round win at the Estadio Nacional de Ombaka in Benguela. 

South Africa got off to the worst possible start, falling a goal behind after less than two minutes. 

Having denied Bafana at the other end, Palancas Negras raced up field through Gerson, with the teenage striker stepping his way past the entire South African back four before rifling a shot past captain Jackson Mabokgwane. 

Shakes Mashaba's men didn't have to wait too long for the equaliser, with Rantie restoring parity in the 14th minute. The Bournemouth striker used the pace of Thabo Matlaba's pass to create a pocket of space inside the area before directing a precise shot into the corner of the net. 

Gabuza handed South Africa the lead six minutes later. The striker has risen from relative obscurity to establish himself as one top marksman for club and country and provided the finish of a man in form following a precise ball from Mandla Masango.

Angola controlled proceedings from then on, with South Africa restricted to hitting the hosts on the counter. 

Rantie never stopped running, though, and the forward was rewarded after it was adjudged that he was fouled inside the area by Dominique in the 82nd minute. 

Jali duly converted from 12 yards, but got himself sent off after the referee showed him a second yellow-card for inciting the Angolan crowd. 

The reverse fixture is set for the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday at 19:00. 

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