PORT ELIZABETH — Cape Verde made history last night when they reached the quarterfinals of the 2013 African Cup of Nations football finals after a stunning 2-1 win over Angola in the penultimate Group A match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Report by Supersport
The islanders finished in second position with five points — the same as group winners South Africa who drew 2-2 with Morocco. Cape Verde trailed 1-0 when Fernando Neves put the ball past his own keeper in the 33rd minute before Fernando Varela’s leveller in the 81st minute.
It took the next nine minutes for history to be written for Cape Verde as Heldon struck in the 90th minute to give the islanders their first ever Afcon win, torching wild celebrates in a country of just 500 000 people.
Angola were the first to threaten a goal, as captain and star striker Manucho headed just wide of the far post from a 12th minute free kick. The Sable Antelopes dominated the opening 20 minutes, but it was soon the turn of the islanders to begin to find a foothold in the game and pose some tough questions for their opponent’s defence.
On 33 minutes Angola finally scored their first goal of the tournament and took the lead. Gilberto whipped in a low cross from the left flank that was sliced into his own net by Cape Verde defender Nando.
The Blue Sharks almost came up with an immediate reply, as Babanco’s free kick was flicked just wide of the target by Julio Tavares in the 36th minute. A short while later Angola goalkeeper Lama had to palm away a well-hit drive from Platini.
Cape Verde introduced both Heldon and Djaniny at the start of the second half and nearly forced an equaliser soon after the restart, with Julio Tavares seeing a goal-bound header cleared off the line by Manucho Dinis.
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The entire Cape Verde team invaded the Press conference room at the end of the match celebrating like they had won the Afcon final. And the 10 days that their coach Luis Antones spent with Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho seems to work magic!
South Africa fought back twice against a determined Morocco side to finish top of Group A as they drew 2-2, thanks to goals from May Mahlangu and Siyabonga Sangweni, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, while Morocco headed home earlier than expected.
