Own goal sees Bafana home
Bafana defeated Angola 4-1 on aggregate to keep their World Cup dream intact.
Eliot Mahlase
An own goal from Manucho Diniz saw Bafana Bafana defeat Angola 1-0 (4-1 on aggregate) on Tuesday, to reach the third round of the World Cup qualifiers.
The highly anticipated match was played at the iconic Moses Mabhida stadium.
Bafana Bafana came into the match with a 3-1 lead after humiliating Angola away from home a fortnight ago.
Coach Shakes Mashaba made three changes with Mpho Makola starting ahead of Thulani Serero and Thulani ‘Tyson’ Hlatswayo replacing Anele Ngcongca at right back. SuperSport United midfielder slotted into the midfield following Andile Jali’s red card in the previous game.
Knowing they needed at least three goals to win, Angola started the match strongly with Fredy Jackson forcing Jackson Mabokgwane into a fine save 30 seconds into the game.
Palancas Negras made their intention clear that they were not going to let Bafana cruise easily home.
Mabokgwane was lucky not to concede when he failed to make contact with the ball following a corner kick.
The Black Aces short-stopper never looked convincing the whole night as he failed to handle the high ball on a number of occasions.
The first half ended with Angola doing most of the attacking but with little clear cut chances.
Momentum swung slightly in Bafana’s favour as Tokelo Rantie started making runs behind the Angola defence which limited their attacking instinct.
Bafana found the back of the net in the 67 minute after an own goal from Manucho. Hlatswayo rose highest to head the ball to the strikers only to find Manucho, who accidentally put the ball past the keeper after failing to clear the ball out.
Angola tried to get something out of the game but a disciplined Bafana defence made sure of a clean sheet.
The win means Bafana now have to wait for January, to see which three teams they will face in the group stage.
The log leader of the group after six games will qualify for the 2018 Russia World Cup.
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