Burnley striker Lyle Foster scored in the 79th minute as South Africa edged Angola 2-1 in Marrakesh on Monday, claiming their first Africa Cup of Nations opening victory in 21 years.
Since defeating Benin in the 2004 tournament, Bafana Bafana had managed only two draws and four defeats in opening matches of subsequent AFCON editions.
The Group B clash unfolded in three distinct phases. South Africa started strongly, with Oswin Appollis giving them the lead in the 21st minute before a modest crowd at the nearly 42,000-seat stadium. Angola controlled much of the remainder of the first half, and Show — the Angolan forward known by his nickname — equalised in the 35th minute. In the second half, South Africa regained dominance, and Foster struck late to secure maximum points.
Egypt, captained by Mohamed Salah, will face Zimbabwe later in the southern coastal city of Agadir.
South Africa dominated the early stages, but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams had to react quickly after 15 minutes to push away a shot from Angola captain Fredy Ribeiro. Six minutes later, Appollis capitalised on a Khuliso Mudau cross, winning possession and slotting a low shot past 39-year-old Hugo Marques to put South Africa ahead.
Williams made another crucial save just before the half-hour mark, denying a close-range header from Gelson Dala. Angola gradually grew into the game, and Show equalised five minutes later after a low free-kick found him in the box.
The match saw rising tensions as Siyabonga Ngezana narrowly avoided a yellow card for a foul on Dala. Subsequent cautions were issued to Angola’s To Carneiro and South Africans Aubrey Modiba and Sphephelo Sithole. At half-time, Angola coach Patrice Beaumelle would have been the happier manager, with his team slightly unlucky not to lead.
Six minutes into the second half, South Africa appeared to retake the lead when substitute Tshepang Moremi fired home, only for the goal to be ruled out after a VAR review showed Foster marginally offside.
Bafana intensified their attacks, with centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi attempting a long-range shot that rebounded off the crossbar. South Africa, largely on the back foot in the first half, were now the aggressors, pressing for a winner.
A swift counterattack saw Moremi outpace a defender and tee up Foster, who initially missed a good chance by shooting over. But the striker redeemed himself in the 79th minute, firing from the edge of the box to beat Marques and restore South Africa’s lead. Foster’s goal, set up by a well-timed intercept and two slick passes, was his fourth in six matches.
AFP
