early goal to beat Angola 3-1 in the first leg of their
second-round World Cup qualifier.
Goals from Tokelo Rantie, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Andile Jali
earned 10-man South Africa a 3-1 win over Angola and put
them in charge of their second-round World Cup qualifying tie.
Angola, the hosts for Friday's first-leg clash in Benguela, took
an early lead through Gelson, but soon found themselves behind
thanks to Rantie and Gabuza and were left furious at the late
award of a penalty for South Africa's third goal.
Home goalkeeper Dominique was adjudged to have fouled
Rantie as the striker bore down on goal 10 minutes from time,
although replays suggested he had got a clear touch on the ball.
Jali coolly tucked away the resulting spot-kick but was then
shown a second yellow card, seemingly for inciting the home
support in celebration.
The victory means Bafana Bafana head into Tuesday's second
leg at home well in control, having gained a modicum of revenge
for their 3-2 aggregate defeat to the same opponents in the
African Nations Championship first round last month.
The early exchanges provided the majority of the entertainment,
with three goals inside the opening 20 minutes - the first of
which arrived through Gelson.
Collecting the ball just inside the area, the forward wriggled
away from three defenders before firing low into the bottom-left
corner.
South Africa's response was swift, however, as Thabo Matlaba
found Rantie in the box, and the AFC Bournemouth striker was
given far too much time and space to control and curl a shot low
inside the right-hand post.
Six minutes later the visitors moved in front, Gabuza running
onto Mandla Masango's through-ball and sweeping a finish
beyond the outstretched leg of Dominique.
With both sides struggling to create clear goal-scoring
opportunities, it looked as though South Africa would leave the
Estadio Nacional de Ombaka with a narrow first-leg lead, until
the late drama ensued.
Dominique clearly pushed the ball away from the feet of Rantie,
but the referee pointed to the spot.
Jali made no mistake in sending the keeper the wrong way, but
his day was soured immediately as he was cautioned for a
second time for his celebration, leaving South Africa to see out
their triumph a man light.
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