PRETORIA: Hosts South Africa made up for their modest start to the African Nations Cup by defeating Angola 2-0 in Durban in their second outing to go top of Group A. Cape Verde held Morocco 1-1 in the other group game.

South Africa achieved their first win in the finals since 2004 with goals from defender Siyabonga Sangweni and substitute Lehlohonolo Majoro to ease the pressure on coach Gordon Igesund after Saturday’s goalless opening against Cape Verde.

Igesund made five changes, admitted it was a gamble, and was relieved to see it pay off.

Cape Verde, the island nation of 500,000 making their finals debut, came within 12 minutes of what would have been their greatest sporting triumph as they led Morocco 1-0 with the final whistle approaching.

Luis ‘Platini’ Soares scored Cape Verde’s first ever goal in the finals but Morocco, held 0-0 by Angola in their opener, took control after halftime and levelled in the 78th minute through substitute Youssef El Arabi.

Behind South Africa on four points, Cape Verde and Morocco have two each while Angola are bottom with one.

South Africa face Morocco in their final group match in Durban on Sunday while Cape Verde meet Angola in Port Elizabeth in a battle between the two former Portuguese colonies. All four teams are still in with a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

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