The island of Cape Verde is populated by just 500,000 people. They progressed into this year's African Cup of Nations by beating Cameroon over two legs. Now they have overcome all odds by progressing to the quarter finals in a dramatic victory over Angola. The hosts South Africa ended up winning the group after coming from behind twice to earn a point against Morocco. All four members of Group A were on course for progression at one stage in a dramatic end to the group.
At the start of play, South Africa knew that they just had to avoid defeat to guarantee progression. A win for both Morocco and Cape Verde would also be enough for both of them progress. Angola had to win too and hope that South Africa didn't lose.
Morocco hit first when South Africa failed to deal with a corner. Issam El Adoua beats Itumeleng Khune to the corner and headed into the floor. The ball bounced up onto the underside of the crossbar before just crossing the line. As it stood, at this early stage, Morocco would win the group with South Africa progressing by a point over Cape Verde.
Angola kept their dream alive 12-minutes before half-time when Amaro's low cross was turned into his own net by Nando. At this point it still wouldn't have been enough for Angola as South Africa would still go through courtesy of that 2-0 victory over the Angolans. Morocco were still firmly in control of winning the group.
The remaining drama was late in coming, but it would come thick and fast. South Africa put Morocco's qualification in doubt on 79-minutes when May Mahlangu played a one-two with Tokelo Rantie before curling the ball beautifully into the top corner. This turned the group on its head as South Africa would now win it. But with Angola winning 1-0 in the other match, Angola would now scrape through on four points compared to Morocco's three.
But Cape Verde changed all of that with nine minutes to play when Heldon's corner was turned in by Fernando Varela after a goalmouth scramble. But Cape Verde's joy wouldn't last too long as Morocco would retake the lead in the other match a minute later. Abdelilah Hafidi found a cool finish after finding space in the box. This meant that with only eight minutes remaining, Morocco were once again going to win the group. South Africa would still just progress with four points compared to Cape Verde's three.
The drama still wasn't completed as South Africa would once again fight back with four minutes left. In slight deja vu to their first goal, South Africa's auxiliary striker, Siyabonga Sangweni, broke the offside trap before cutting back inside and curling the ball around the defender and classily into the bottom corner. This put South Africa back at the top of the group and Morocco would go through, agonisingly, on goals scored which was just one more than Cape Verde.
But the small Archipelago nation would have the last word in injury time and the substitute Heldon was at it again. This time he was the scorer that would send Cape Verde through whilst eliminating the Moroccan's with the latest of shows. Final Table:
1. South Africa 5 +2
2. Cape Verde 5 +1
3. Morocco 3 0
4. Angola 1 -3
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