2018 WC Qualifier: South Africa Seal Qualification To Next Stage With Own Goal

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An own from Manucho Diniz secured a narrow 1-0 win (4-1 on aggregate) for South Africa in a second-leg 2018 Fifa World Cup second round qualifier at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday evening.

It was a much improved performance from Angola, but the visitors squandered plenty of goalscoring opportunities before the knockout-punch from South Africa midway through the second half.

Needing at least three goals to turn things around, Angola came out firing like they did in Benguela, with Fredy forcing Jackson Mabokgwane into a save after 30 seconds.

Palancas Negras were much sharper in the opening exchanges and Bafana Bafana were lucky not to fall a goal behind on 13 minutes.

Mabokgwane failed on two occasions to gather crosses into the area, the Black Aces stopper wasn’t helped by his defence with the ball ultimately falling to Gomito who completely scuffed his effort to the relief of Shakes Mashaba and his troops.

Nervy defending was again on display in the Bafana Bafana penalty area in the 39th minute, but last-ditch defending saved the hosts’ blushes once again.

For South Africa there was little to write home about in the first half with Angola getting the better of their southern African opponents.

Gelson, scorer of Angola’s goal in the first leg, was unlucky not to open the scoring in the 56th minute. The teenage striker got the better of Erick Mathoho, but saw his effort canon off the crossbar with Mabokgwane stranded.

This was as close as Angola were to get to the opener with South Africa grabbing the lead in the 67th minute.

Thulani Hlatshwayo rose highest to meet Mandla Masango’s ball into the area, his header was going wide, but Diniz inadvertently steered the ball into the back of his own net.

Both teams continued to press forward, but no goals were to follow as South Africa sealed progression to the third round of qualifying – Angola now set their sights on Qatar 2022.

 

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2018 WC Qualifier: South Africa Seal Qualification To Next Stage With Own Goal