DURBAN, South Africa: Hosts South Africa got their African Nations Cup campaign back on track with a convincing 2-0 win over Angola in Durban yesterday to go top of Group A.
Defender Siyabonga Sangweni handed them a 30th-minute lead with a far post volley and a solo effort from substitute Lehlohonolo Majoro doubled the advantage just after the hour mark.
South Africa had put on a poor show in drawing their opening match against Cape Verde on Saturday, but after making five changes for Wednesday’s game produced a much more convincing performance.
They now have four points from their first two matches while Angola have one, having not scored in their two encounters at the 16-nation tournament.
Togo coach seethes over ‘legitimate’ goal
Meantime, Togo’s French coach Didier Six was still seething yesterday over his team’s disallowed goal in a 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations Group D defeat to Ivory Coast in Rustenburg the previous day.
Togo canceled out Yaya Toure’s opener when Jonathan Ayite struck in first-half stoppage time, and had the ball in the back of the net off a corner after the break.
But that effort was ruled out by Cameroon referee Alioum Neant, apparently because the corner had been taken too quickly.
Arsenal’s Gervinho then compounded Togo’s plight with the winner two minutes from time.
Six was so upset he stormed out of the post-match press conference, and his ire had not subsided at the team’s training camp here.
“There were too many refereeing mistakes. It’s not an excuse, but there were too many abnormal decisions,” he told AFP.
“Notably this goal, which was totally legitimate.
“The referee blew his whistle, that means the player can play!
“He sees the Ivorians aren’t ready, and as he’s scared of a big circus act he makes them play it again.
“If one has to wait for the men who are higher up the pecking order to be ready, he should tell us!“
Asked if he had tackled the referee on his decision, Six shook his head.
“That wouldn’t have achieved anything, the match was over. But, in contrast, I can express my unhappiness in another way.”
On his premature exit from the press conferencne, he added: “I was obliged to turn up at the press conference otherwise I would have been fined.
“These mistakes must be stopped, for us and for others.
“If my brief intervention at the press conference can stir up (organizers) CAF on the refereeing front, that will be better for everyone.”
Reflecting on the outcome of the game, Six said: “We managed to contain or even more the Ivory Coast. Sabri (Lamouchi, the Ivorian coach), who is a friend, said to me ‘we didn’t deserve to win today’.
“It’s always easy to say that when you have the three points, but it’s true.”
