BAFANA YAWEKA HAI MATUMAINI YA UBINGWA AFCON, MOROCCO YAKWAMA

A vastly improved South Africa scored in each half to beat Angola 2-0 at the African Cup of Nations on Wednesday, giving the host nation huge relief and reviving Bafana Bafana's chances of making the quarterfinals. 

Defender Siyabonga Sangweni netted with a volley from a tight angle in the 30th minute to ease the crushing pressure on coach Gordon Igesund and his team. 

Substitute Lehlohonolo Majoro then sneaked a shot through Angola goalkeeper Lama's legs in the 62nd minute for a vital cushion in the Group A game at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Settling the nerves: Siyabonga Sangweni (2nd left) is congratulated after scoring for South Africa

Apart from a third-minute scare, when Angola's Mateus Da Costa flashed an early shot at Itumeleng Khune's goal, South Africa had the majority of the play in Durban to move top of Group A ahead of Morocco's game against Cape Verde later on Wednesday.

Sangweni's sweet volley after a loose defensive header and Majoro's skillful second also allowed South Africa to rid itself of Sunday's awful performance in the tournament opener. 

'The guys stood up and were counted today, every single one of them,' Igesund said. Initially fearing another depressing performance, home fans ended the game singing and dancing and launching themselves into Mexican waves at the seaside venue. 

Crowd pleaser: Sangweni celebrates with the fans in Durban after scoring for South Africa

Just four days ago, South Africa's lack of attacking intent in its dreadfully limp 0-0 draw with tournament debutant Cape Verde had put the team and Igesund under suffocating pressure ahead of their second game - when Bafana Bafana realistically had to win to stay on course for the quarter-finals. 

Home fans groaned at the sellout 56,000-seat Moses Mabhida when Da Costa forced Khune to scramble to his right to get a slight deflection on a teasing low shot early on. 

But after that, South Africa impressed its authority on a disappointing Angola team for much of the remaining 87 minutes. 

He's behind you: Angola's Dany Massunguna is challenged by Siphiwe Tshabalala

Sangweni connected with a good low volley after a header from Lunguinha sent the ball looping into the air. 

In the second half, Majoro picked up possession out on the left and jinked his way to the byline, and then back infield to deceive defenders and Lama for the second, allowing South African fans to wildly celebrate what had initially threatened to be a painful affair.

Igesund made five changes to the team that was struck badly by stage fright on the opening night, starting with a new striker partnership and two new central midfielders in Durban, including Oldham's Dean Furman. 

Recalled centre forward Katlego Mphela troubled Angola's defence, allowing Thuso Phala and new striker Tokelo Rantie space to threaten, and Phala's ninth-minute free kick had the Angolan defence scrambling before Sangweni's strike. 

Doubling up: South African Tokelo Rantie tries to hold off Angola pair Fabricio (left) and Dede

Phala threatened again in the 32nd minute and Bernard Parker shot strongly at Lama just before halftime. 

Angola's best chance came when Da Costa pulled a cross back for Guilherme Afonso in the 52nd minute but the powerful low shot went straight at Khune. 

Khune flapped at two in-swinging corners in the last 15 minutes and Angola captain Manucho's late header wasn't strong enough to beat the Bafana goalkeeper. 

South Africa could have added a third in a hugely different and far more positive display when Majoro attempted a lob from the edge of the penalty area with a minute to go and it drifted just over the crossbar. 

'If they don't want to believe in themselves, I believe in what they're doing,' Igesund said. 'Today I took a big risk. I played with almost five strikers.' 

The only possible negative for South Africa came in the last minute when goal-scorer Majoro was taken off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a painful left leg injury.

Cape Verde 1 Morocco 1: 

Blue Sharks pick up another 

Cape Verde pulled off their second surprising result of the African Cup of Nations and did hosts South Africa a big favour as they held Morocco to a 1-1 draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday. 

Although Cape Verde were unable to hold onto the lead provided by a 36th-minute goal from Luis Soares, a second draw was another shock by a team from a tiny island with a population of just half a million. 

Half-time substitute Youssef El Arabi spared some of Morocco's blushes when he turned in Abdelaziz Barrada's cutback 12 minutes from time. 

Significant: Cape Verde's Luis 'Platini' Soares Mendes, is mobbed by teammates after he scored his country's first major goal at the African Cup of Nations

But the Atlas Lions next face a must-win clash against South Africa, who beat Angola 2-0 in the day's earlier Group A game at the same venue, if they are to secure qualification for the next round. 

Many of the South African fans had drifted away from the stadium to celebrate their side's victory, which put them in firm control of Group A. 

However, Cape Verde, playing in their first African Cup, gave themselves every chance of reaching the second round going into their final group game against Angola on Sunday. 

Foots up: Cape Verde's 'Gege' Barros, (center) kicks the ball past Morocco's Mounir El Hamdaoui (left) and Oussama Assaidi

The islanders dominated the first half, with Carlos Tavares, Ryan Mendes and Soares all forcing good saves from Nadir Lamyaghri before Soares beat the Moroccan goalkeeper. 

Soares, nicknamed Platini after his French football hero Michel Platini, was put through on goal by a clever pass from Mendes, but still needed a deft chip to find the back of the net and spark a celebration that included most of the Cape Verde squad.
With some robust tackling and a tight offside line, the Blue Sharks offered nothing to Morocco in the opening 60 minutes. 

Late strike: Morocco's Youssef El Arabi (centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the equalizing goal

And where Cape Verde were well organized and kept their discipline, the Moroccans were sloppy and prone to squabbling both amongst themselves and with the referee. 

Morocco finally found some focus in the final quarter, and forced an equaliser through El Arabi, yet it was Cape Verde who came closest to sneaking a winning goal in the final minutes when substitute Heldon Ramos tested Lamyaghri with a shot that was well placed but lacked power.

Party: Cape Verde fans soak up the atmosphere before today's game

Wednesday, January 23, 2013