16.06.2015 19:21 h

South Africa back on winning trail

South Africa ended a goalless three-match run of draws with a come-from-behind 2-1 international football friendly victory over Angola on Tuesday at a cold, windy Cape Town Stadium.

A small public-holiday crowd braved early southern hemisphere winter conditions in the south-west city to see a mid-second-half Felipe Malanda own-goal settle a lively, fiercely contested southern Africa showdown.

Belgium-based Ayanda Patosi chipped over goalkeeper Landu Mavanga on 68 minutes and when the ball fell off the underside of the crossbar, it struck Malanda and rolled into the net.

South Africa then retreated and survived some scares to end an embarrassing run of 0-0 draws, against Botswana and Malawi in a regional championship and against Gambia in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Alexandre M'Futila snatched a superb goal on 25 minutes for the visitors, surging forward from midfield before unleashing an unstoppable rising shot past goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

Thamsanqa Gabuza levelled in first-half stoppage time by firing a rebound into the corner after Landu failed to hold a stinging May Mahlangu drive.

Success for Bafana Bafana (The Boys) maintained an unbeaten record against the Palancas Negras (Sable Antelopes) with five victories and three draws over 19 years.

"I hope scoring and winning is a sign of good things to come," said South Africa coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba.

Angola coach Filemon Romeu said: "We improved as the game continued and were the much better team during the closing stages."

Substitute Guilherme Afonso proved a threat with his dribbling and footwork and almost equalised with a chip over Khune that Thabo Matlaba cleared.