Ghana 2008 Update : Angola 1 - 1 South Africa

South Africa's Late Screamer Denies Angola The Win

Angola 1 - 1 South Africa

Elrio Van Heerden's late strike denied Angola a win that seemed sealed by Manucho's classy diving header in the first half...

After a dull opening period, a late surge from South Africa saw them restore parity against an Angolan side that may feel slightly hard done by in terms of the result.

Unlike most matches in the tournament, there was relatively little for the fans to shout about early in the first half.

The opening stages played out in cagey fashion, with 14 minutes elapsing before the first real chance. Even then, Pienaar's cross into the Angolan box was cleared away for a corner, despite its clear danger.

Two minutes later, Flavio raced onto a through ball at the other end, with goalkeeper Josephs and left-back Mhlongo colliding in an attempt to stop him. The striker was penalised for his part in the incident, and Josephs was left with a head wound for his troubles.

Still, he was able to save Flavio's next attempt ten minutes later, although Manucho's on the half hour mark proved too much for him.

Flavio cut inside past Masilela before chipping the ball across goalmouth, where new Manchester United man Manucho was waiting to fire home a diving header.

Zuma then had a great chance to replicate the feat at the other end, but hit wide, while Flavio then came forward on the break, only to find his shot deflected. Was it handball? The referee thought not as half time came.

In truth, other than Manucho's goal, relatively few of the incidents had been edge-of-seat stuff. That changed in the second period, which was very slightly more exciting.

South Africa were keen to impress, having taken off Moriri and Tsahabalala for Fanteni and Lerato, but found themselves frustrated by overhit through balls and the offside trap.

Once again, though, it took fifteen minutes for a real chance to break out. Not long after Lama had to race off his line to punch clear a Pineaar cross, Modise then played in a corner for Mhlongo, only for the defender to head wide.

The brilliant Flavio then was almost both provider and scorer, linking up well with Ze Kalanga for the latter to shoot just wide, before bringing out the best in Josephs after a close-range effort.

South Africa were beginning to tire, but actually had thee great chances as the game drew to a close. They must have thought that, between Mokoena's shot perhaps just sneaking over and Lama pulling off wonder-stops from Moon and Fanteni, that it was all over for them.

Not so, for Elrio Van Heerden added yet another goal worthy of highlight reels for years to come in a tournament that's already seen plenty.

The Club Brugge man, on as a substitute, strode forward on the right before left-footing it right into the top corner from just under 30 yards.

Flavio almost had the last word in stoppage time with an effort that just looped over, while Lama once again was brought into action by Fanteni, and a game that once threatened to be dull had ended in some style.

However, a draw will do neither side much good...