Elrio Van Heerden's late strike earned South Africa a 1-1 draw in their Group D opener in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Late strike saves South Africa
Elrio Van Heerden's late strike earned South Africa a 1-1 draw in their Group D opener in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Angola looked to be heading for an opening win courtesy of Manchester United new boy Manucho's first half opener, but Van Heerden came off the bench to rescue a draw for South Africa with a fine solo goal three minutes from time.
South Africa started on the front foot and came close to scoring on six minutes when Teko Modise fired in a swerving shot which Angola keeper Lama did well to push away.
Opener
Angola broke the deadlock against the run of play just before the half hour mark with a fine strike from Manucho.
Flavio sent over a cross from the left and Manucho threw himself at the ball to power a diving header past Moeneeb Josephs.
South Africa missed a great chance to draw level on 32 minutes when Sibusiso Zuma somehow missed a free header inside the six-yard box.
The impressive Modise tried to catch Lama off his line with a clever chip just past the hour mark which the keeper caught at full stretch.
Substitute Ze Kalanga flashed a shot from the edge of the box for Angola on 64 minutes as they looked to catch South Africa on the break.
Angola came close to doubling their lead on 72 minutes when Flavio made space on the left and fired in a shot which Josephs deflected into the side-netting.
Disallowed
South Africa thought they had drawn level eight minutes from time when Aaron Mokoena headed home a free kick, but the goal was disallowed for an infringement inside the box.
South Africa did grab their equaliser on 87 minutes when Van Heerden cut in from the right past a couple of challenges and flashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner to spark wild celebrations.
