Hosts South Africa will be the most confident team in Group A going into the final round of fixtures. That is because they have four points from their first two games after beating a lacklustre Angola 2-0. The defeat doesn't spell disaster for Angola though as Morocco managed an equaliser 12-minutes from time to get a draw in a tempestuous match against Cape Verde. This means that Morocco and Cape Verde have two points with Angola on one. Only a defeat for South Africa against Morocco will potentially prevent them from progressing. (Possible group outcomes shown at end of report)
After no goals in the opening fixtures, everyone was hoping it wouldn't take long for a goal to come between South Africa and Angola. Unfortunately for Angola fans, their side didn't really turn up for much of the game but it was a bit more flowing than the previous matches seen so far.
Angola did, however, have the first opening chances but were unable to hit the target. But South Africa quickly took hold of the game and were largely camped in the Angolan half, Thuso Phala posing a big threat down the wing and from set pieces. Numerous free-kicks were awarded to Tokelo Rantie and it finally caused Angola's down fall just before the half hour mark. Bernard Parker stood over the set piece and crossed for centre back Siyabongo Sangweni of the Orlando Pirates to smash home.
It's a worrying sign when your only striker is heading balls clear from your own box. This is exactly what Manucho spent most of the half doing, but when he was given the opportunity in the opposing half, he looked very threatening. A long ball easily beat the high South African line and Manucho almost got onto it except for Itumeleng Khune's header clear as he was just outside of his box. Another chance saw Manucho win the ball the air before heading it to Mateus who horribly fired over.
Manucho would also have the opening chance in the second half but his shot from Mateus' cross was hit straight at Khune. The South African fans were upset when the danger man, Rantie, was substituted for Lehlohonolo Majoro, but within minutes Majoro breaks free down the wing before cutting inside the six yard box and scoring through the goalkeeper's legs, making it 2-0 on 62-minutes.
The final moments of play were end to end as Angola finally looked to spark into life. But they couldn't beat Khune who almost set up Majoro for a second if the striker's lob had finished underneath the net instead of on the roof. But South Africa easily held on and are all but assured of their place in the next round.
After a largely free-flowing game, many hoped for the same between Morocco and Cape Verde but they were largely disappointed. 25 fouls in just under the opening 30-minutes goes to show how bitty this game was but it was actually Cape Verde who looked the more threatening.
Morocco were once again largely underwhelming despite Oussama Assaidi having the first real shot in anger. Cape Verde also went close just after 20-minutes when Ryan Mendes had his dangerous free-kick smartly parried away. It was no surprise to see Cape Verde take the lead ten minutes before half-time as they were well worth it. Luis Platini had a good showing against South Africa in the last match and it was he who scored the goal; sloppy defending allowed Mendes to steal the ball and play Platini in and the striker coolly chips the ball over the diving keeper to score Cape Verde's first ever African Cup of Nations goal.
The same was largely present in the second half, Morocco poor and relying on route one stuff with Mendes and Platini providing a real threat for Cape Verde. The tension rose in the second half as more tackles flew in, a big blow for Morocco saw Younes Belhanda pick up his second booking in the tournament and could be a crucial miss against South Africa.
Perhaps undeservedly, Morocco would level 12-minutes from time when Abelaziz Barrada worked his way down the wing before pulling the back for half-time substitute Youssef El-Arabi to slot home. From there, both teams looked dangerous and Morocco were perhaps more deserving of the point based on their last 20-minutes. El-Arabi looked the most dangerous but he couldn't find a winner and the teams walked off with a point apiece.
Possible Outcomes in Final Group Games:
- South Africa & Cape Verde both win = both through with SA group winners.
- South Africa & Angola both win = both through with SA group winners.
- South Africa win & Cape Verde v Angola is a draw = SA and CV through with SA group winners.
- Both games end in a draw = SA win group, whoever scores the most goals between Cape Verde and - Morocco goes through.
- South Africa v Morocco is a draw & Cape Verde win = CV and SA through, goal difference determines group winner.
- South Africa v Morocco is a draw & Angola win = SA win group and Angola progress
- Morocco win & Cape Verde v Angola is a draw = Morocco and SA go through with Morocco group winners.
- Morocco & Cape Verde both win = Both through, goal difference determines group winner.
- Morocco & Angola both win = Morocco win group, SA progress on head-to-head with Angola
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