South Africa squeeze into Four Nations final with shoot-out win

Kabiru Abubakar/BackpagePix

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South Africa sealed a place in the final of the Four Nations tournament in Ndola with a 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory over Angola after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in their semi final on Wednesday.

Bafana Bafana will now wait for the winner between the other semi final between hosts Zambia and Zimbabwe to be played later in the evening.

Angola took the lead in the first half through veteran forward Djalma Campos on his return to the national side, while South Africa equalised early in the second period as Lille striker Lebo Mothiba grabbed a debut goal.

The match went to spot kicks, with Angola missing twice and Sibusiso Vilakazi scoring the winning penalty for the South Africans. Bafana handed debuts to right-back Reeve Frosler and Mothiba, leaving many of their more experienced campaigners on the bench.

After Angola made the better start, Mothiba went close to the opener with he connected with a cross from Frosler, but Angola goalkeeper Lando Mavanga saved well.

Dean Furman was narrowly wide with a low shot, while at the other end Bafana goalkeeper Darren Keet made a smart saved to deny Herenilson.

However, he could do nothing as Angola took the lead just past the half-hour mark when Buhle Mkhwanazi's short back-pass led to the opener for Campos.

Bafana hit back five minutes into the second half as Mothiba opened his international account with a neat back-heel, the 23rd South African to score on his national team debut.

The momentum then swung in South Africa's favour as Mavanga did well to deny Mothiba from Sifiso Hlanti's cross, before Phakamani Mahlambi was brought down in the box for what looked a clear penalty, but the referee waved play-on.

Coach Stuart Baxter brought on Maritzburg United midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu for Maphosa Modiba, and he immediately impressed with some dynamic play in the centre of the park.

Another substitute, Ryan Moon, came closest to a winner in 90 minutes when his header went inches wide from Themba Zwane's corner.