South Africa secured a hard-fought victory against Angola in a thrilling encounter as they kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in style. The match, played at a packed stadium, was filled with excitement and drama right from the first whistle to the final moments.
South Africa got off to a flying start with Oswin Reagan Appollis finding the back of the net in the 21st minute with a clinical finish, giving his team an early lead. The goal injected confidence into the South African side, who looked sharp and composed in possession, dominating the midfield battles and creating several scoring opportunities.
However, Angola fought back valiantly and managed to equalize in the 35th minute through a well-taken goal by Manuel Luís da Silva Cafumana. The Angolan team showed great resilience and determination, making life difficult for the South African defense with their quick counter-attacks and solid defensive organization.
As the match entered the final stages, both teams pushed for the winning goal, with the tension palpable in the stadium. It was South Africa who ultimately emerged victorious, with Lyle Brent Foster scoring a crucial goal in the 79th minute to put his team ahead once again.
The goal proved to be the decisive moment of the match, as South Africa held on to secure a vital three points in their opening fixture of the tournament. The victory will undoubtedly boost their confidence and set the tone for the rest of their campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Overall, it was a thrilling encounter between two talented sides, with South Africa ultimately coming out on top with a 2-1 victory over Angola. The match showcased the passion and skill of African football and sets the stage for more exciting clashes in the tournament ahead.
- South Africa will play with Egypt. December 26 at 15:00 (GMT), on Stade Adrar.
- Angola will play with Zimbabwe. December 26 at 12:30 (GMT), on Stade de Marrakech.
South Africa
- Ronwen Hayden Williams (8)
- Khuliso Johnson Mudau (6.6)
- Siyabonga Ngezana (6.6)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi (6.9)
- Aubrey Maphosa Modiba (7.3)
- Sphephelo SMiso Sithole (6.3)
- Teboho Mokoena (7.2)
- Mohau Nkota (6.7)
- Sipho Percevale Mbule (6.7)
- Oswin Reagan Appollis (7.9)
- Lyle Brent Foster (8.2)
Angola
Substitutions:
South Africa
- Mohau Nkota (Tshepang Moremi, 46)
- Oswin Reagan Appollis (Elias Mokwana, 80)
- Sipho Percevale Mbule (Bathusi Jurry Aubaas, 80)
Angola
- MBala Nzola (Agostinho Cristóvão Paciência, 76)
- Jacinto Muondo Dala (Felício Mendes João Milson, 76)
- Alfredo Kulembe Ribeiro (Randy Nteka, 86)
- António Simão Muanza (Benedito Mambuene Mukendi, 86)
- Zito André Sebastião Luvumbo (C. Banza, 90)
Ball possession:
In a riveting encounter between South Africa and Angola, the ball possession statistics revealed a commanding display by South Africa, who held 58% of the possession compared to Angola’s 42%. The match unfolded with an intense display of attacking football, with both teams eager to make their mark on the scoreline.
South Africa demonstrated their attacking prowess with 9 shots on target, 3 of which tested the Angolan goalkeeper. Mbekezeli Mbokazi emerged as a standout performer for South Africa, showcasing his sharpshooting abilities with a flurry of attempts on goal. Despite their dominance in possession, South Africa faced a resilient Angolan defense that managed to thwart several of their scoring opportunities.
On the other side of the pitch, Angola exhibited a keen eye for goal with 8 shots on target, 4 of which found their mark. Jacinto Muondo Dala particularly shone for Angola, displaying clinical finishing with precise strikes on goal. The Angolan team’s attacking prowess posed a constant threat to the South African defense, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the match.
Overall, the match was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, with South Africa’s dominance in possession countered by Angola’s clinical finishing in front of goal. The battle for supremacy on the field was a sight to behold, culminating in a thrilling display of footballing talent from both sides.
Passes:
In a thrilling encounter between South Africa and Angola, Teboho Mokoena showcased his exceptional passing accuracy, leading his team to a dominant performance. Mokoena’s precise passing skills were on full display as he boasted an impressive pass accuracy of 95% out of a total of 60 passes made throughout the match. His composure on the ball and ability to find his teammates with pinpoint accuracy were instrumental in South Africa’s attacking play.
On the other side, Jonathan Buatu Mananga of Angola also displayed a commendable passing performance, with an 81% pass accuracy from a total of 44 passes. Despite facing tough opposition, Mananga remained composed and distributed the ball effectively to his teammates, contributing to Angola’s efforts to gain control in midfield.
South Africa’s Lyle Brent Foster and Angola’s Clinton Mukoni Mata Pedro Lourenço were also key figures in the match, with Foster providing 2 key passes and Lourenço delivering 3 key passes. Their vision and creativity in the final third added an exciting dimension to the game, creating opportunities for their respective teams to threaten the opposition’s goal.
Overall, the match was a showcase of top-class passing skills and tactical awareness from both sides. South Africa’s Mokoena and Angola’s Mananga stood out for their accuracy and influence in midfield, while Foster and Lourenço added flair and creativity to the proceedings. The fans were treated to a display of high-quality football, with passing accuracy playing a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the match.
Defense:
In a tightly contested match between South Africa and Angola, defensive prowess took center stage as both teams showcased their ability to thwart attacking threats with well-timed interceptions and crucial blocks.
South Africa’s defense, led by the impressive Siyabonga Ngezana, put in a resilient performance, with Ngezana himself making a noteworthy interception to disrupt Angola’s attacking momentum early in the game. Despite facing relentless pressure from the Angolan attack, South Africa managed to make a total of 5 interceptions, with Ngezana leading the way with 2 interceptions to his name.
On the other hand, Angola’s defense was a force to be reckoned with, particularly Clinton Mukoni Mata Pedro Lourenço who stood out with 2 interceptions of his own. The Angolan team as a whole made a staggering 10 interceptions, showcasing their commitment to disrupting South Africa’s build-up play and limiting their goal-scoring opportunities.
In addition to interceptions, both teams displayed a keen sense of timing and positioning when it came to blocking shots. South Africa put in a solid defensive display, blocking a total of 3 shots to deny Angola any clear-cut chances on goal. Ngezana once again played a pivotal role in this aspect, making a crucial block to keep his team in the game.
Angola, on the other hand, managed to block 2 shots, with Esmevânio Kialonda Gaspar showcasing his defensive acumen with a well-timed block to thwart a dangerous South African attack.
Overall, the match was a testament to the importance of strong defensive performances in football, with both teams showcasing their ability to read the game, anticipate opposition movements, and make crucial interventions to keep the scoreline level. As the final whistle blew, it was clear that the defensive units of both South Africa and Angola had played a key role in securing a hard-fought draw.
Face-to-face:
In a thrilling encounter between South Africa and Angola, Aubrey Maphosa Modiba showcased his exceptional skill and determination by engaging in a remarkable 8 face-to-face battles for the ball. His tenacity on the field was truly commendable as he fought tirelessly for possession, proving to be a key player for the South African team.
On the other side, Manuel Luís da Silva Cafumana of Angola also displayed his prowess with 6 face-to-face duels for the ball. His determination and resilience were evident throughout the match, making him a standout performer for the Angolan side.
The clash between these two talented players added an intense and competitive edge to the game, captivating fans and keeping them on the edge of their seats. Their commitment to winning possession and driving their teams forward was a sight to behold, showcasing the true spirit of football.
Overall, the match was a thrilling display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, with Aubrey Maphosa Modiba and Manuel Luís da Silva Cafumana standing out as leaders in their respective teams. Fans can look forward to more exciting performances from these exceptional players in future matches.
Fouls:
Yellow cards:
- Aubrey Maphosa Modiba (South Africa) at 41 minute
- Sphephelo SMiso Sithole (South Africa) at 45 minute
- Augusto de Jesus Corte Real Carneiro (Angola) at 32 minute
- Randy Nteka (Angola) at 88 minute
The last five games (including this match):
- South Africa – W
- Angola – L
Top 5 Africa Cup of Nations scorers:
- Ayoub El Kaabi (1, Morocco)
- Brahim Abdelkader Díaz (1, Morocco)
- Lassine Sinayoko (1, Mali)
- Lyle Brent Foster (1, South Africa)
- Manuel Luís da Silva Cafumana (1, Angola)
Line-ups:
Next games:
- South Africa will play with Egypt. December 26 at 15:00 (GMT), on Stade Adrar.
- Angola will play with Zimbabwe. December 26 at 12:30 (GMT), on Stade de Marrakech.
