Bafana advance to World Cup group stage qualifiers with win over Angola

18 November 2015 - 02:37 By Marc Strydom

Bafana Bafana coach "Shakes" Mashaba has steered the team through a tricky tie against Angola into the group stages of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. One cannot deny that the 1970s' Orlando Pirates defender and captain knows how to get a result.Bafana were not overly convincing in last night's 1-0 second leg victory in Durban. But they did the job, adding to their 3-1 lead in Benguela on Friday.A 67th-minute own goal by Angola midfielder Manucho Diniz separated the teams last night, making for an ultimately convincing 4-1 aggregate score-line for the 75th-ranked South Africans against Angola, ranked 98th.Durban is Bafana's happy hunting ground. They love the crowd, atmosphere and pitch at this beautiful stadium.The South Africans were not as full-flowing - or perhaps rather, opportunistic - as they had been in Angola.They initially frustrated a Palancas Negras (Sable Antelopes) side always chasing the game, then pressured them, resulting in the goal.Ultimately, Bafana did the job in a professional manner.For Angola, the loss meant that for another four years they have no chance of emulating their remarkable 2006 qualification.Mashaba made three changes. Thulani Hlatshwayo replaced injured Anele Ngcongca, Dean Furman came in for injured Andile Jali and Mpho Makola for a benched Thulani Serero.His Angola counterpart, Romeu Filemon, made eight changes.As the Mexican wave went round Moses Mabhida in a sign of frustration from the home fans, on the pitch it would have been Angola feeling the anxiety.There would have been anxiety across Angola, too, when Gelson broke free in the 57th minute, the challenge of Mulomowandau Mathoho only steering the striker wide as, with Bafana keeper Jackson Mabokgwane stranded, the striker attempted to roll the ball in but hit the left upright...

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