Benguela, Angola – Bafana Bafana came from a goal down to secure a crucial 3-1 victory over Angola in their round two, World Cup first-leg qualifier at Estadio Nacional de Ombaka in Benguela on Friday.
The South Africans began in the worst possible fashion as they found themselves a goal down after 90 seconds as the hosts took the lead through Jacinto Gerson. The goal was an especially painful blow for Bafana as they had moments earlier fluffed a chance to take the lead themselves.
To their credit though, Bafana showed great character to first equalise just inside the quarter hour mark courtesy of Tokele Rantie who produced a cool finish, before Thamsanqa Gabuza thrust the men in yellow into the lead minutes later.
A penalty from Andile Jali with under 10 minutes remaining sealed the match as a contest, as Bafana turned in a comprehensive scoreline.
Angola scored in the second minute from a counter-attack. The Bafana defence were caught napping as the Angolan side ran through the visitors. The final ball fell to Gerson, with three Bafana defenders surrounding the player on the edge of the box, he was able to reel off a shot that easily had the beating of Jackson Mabokgwane in the Bafana goal to make it 1-0.
Bafana levelled the scores in the 14th minute. Thabo Matlaba found Rantie in space in the box, and the Bournemouth striker took one touch before reeling off a pinpoint strike into the corner of the net and restore parity.
Bafana completed their turnaround in the 20th minute. Mandla Masango made a surging run down the right before crossing for Gabuza in the area who was on target to make it 2-1.
After the interval, Bafana began probing for a third. One such chance came in the 64th minute when both Rantie and Angolan goalkeeper Dominique tussled for a ball looped into the area. The gloveman, however, lost the ball and Rantie took possession but a defender got a block in before the Bafana player could fashion a shot.
Bafana were awarded a penalty late in the contest as Thabo Matlaba was brought down in the area by Dominique. Andile Jali made no mistake from the spot to make it 3-1 in the 81st minute.
The drama, however, was not over as Jali received his second yellow card during his goal celebration which was seen to provoke the crowd and the referee gave the player his marching orders.
The sides will meet again on Tuesday for the second leg in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in a 7pm start. – African News Agency (ANA)