Bafana surge into contention

Parker moving to the left and Thuso Phala remaining on the right. Tsepo Masilela came in for Thabo Matlaba at left-back.

The attacking line-up did the trick. This result could be the kick-start Bafana need to inspire the support of the nation and perhaps have a run into the knockout stages. SA produced a pulsating display in the first half, raiding the Angolan back four with positive, running football.

Importantly, they snuffed out the Angolans when the opposition came within a sniff of the SA area, bundling up dangerous striker Manucho. Even at 1-0 up, a goal conceded would have put the tournament hosts under pressure. From the ninth minute, when Bongani Khumalo only got a faint touch with his header to Mahlangu’s cross from the left, Bafana were on the front foot.

They spent the first 20 minutes camped round the Angolan box, including one fast-paced move where neat interplay between the two, and a good piece of skill in the area from Mphela, teed up Rantie on the left, but he skied his shot into Durban’s muggy atmosphere.

In the 21st minute, SA took the lead when the Angola defence could not clear a Phala free kick from the right and the loose ball fell to Siyabonga Sangweni, ghosting in at the far post and sweeping a finish past goalkeeper Joao Lama.

Near the end of the half, Rantie looped a header on to the top netting, with Lama stranded, having dived to intercept a cross.

Igesund aimed to keep the tempo high by introducing Reneilwe Letsholonyane for Mahlangu at the break. In the 53rd minute, Campos Djalma made ground down the right and squared to Afons Guilherme, whose shot was saved by Itumeleng Khune.

But it was a chance against the tide for Angola. In the 62nd minute, Majoro, on for Rantie, was found on the left on the counter-attack. He beat two defenders, then seemed not to know what to do with the arriving support. Out of nowhere the striker dinked the ball between Lama’s legs to make it 2-0 to Bafana.

SA shut out their lead in the last 20 minutes. A sublime chip from Majoro almost made it 3-0 in the 89th.