On Friday, both defending champions Angola and hosts South Africa booked their places in the championship match with emphatic semi-final victories at the Toyota Stadium.

Angola, known as the Palancas Negras, continued their dominant run with a commanding 4–1 win over Madagascar in the first semi-final, having already led 2–0 at half-time. In the second semi-final, South Africa secured a solid 3–1 victory over a poorly disciplined Comoros side, after going into the break 2–1 up.

Manuel Keliano of Angola. Photo: Morgan Piek

In Angola’s match, Laurindo Dilson Maria Aurélio, better known as Depú, opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Just 20 minutes later, he bagged his brace to give Angola a comfortable lead at the break. Ambrosini António Cabaça Salvador (Zini) made it 3–0 in the 74th minute, and Alberto Adão Campos Miguel (Além) sealed the result with a goal in the 86th.

Madagascar managed a late consolation goal in stoppage time courtesy of Nantenaina Gregasse Razafimahatana, but it was far too little, far too late to stop the Black Sable Antelopes from progressing to the final.

In the second semi-final, Bafana Bafana came out firing and were quickly rewarded when Kamogelo Sebelebele neatly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper and defender Idris Mohamed following a threatening entry into the box in the 8th minute – his first-ever goal for South Africa. The South Africans kept the pressure on, and six minutes later, Orlando Pirates forward Boitumelo Radiopane coolly scored to double the lead with a goal deflected off the left-upright.

Kamogelo Sebelebele chipping in for his first goal. Photo: Morgan Piek

Comoros pulled one back against the run of play in the 30th minute through Ibrahim Madi, giving the islanders a flicker of hope going into the half-time break.

TS Galaxy midfielder Sebelebele all but sealed the result for South Africa in the 60th minute with his brace when he pounced on a defensive error by Comoros, before Bafana shifted into a more defensive gear to see out the match.

With 20 minutes left in regulation time, Comoros’ Naidmoudine Assane was shown a red card for a reckless challenge. Initially only booked with a yellow, the decision was upgraded to a red as it was his second yellow.

Bafana managed the closing stages well to set up a blockbuster final against Angola.

Following the match, Bafana head coach Vela Khumalo praised his team for sticking to the game plan and showing the finishing touch that had eluded them earlier in the tournament.

“We said we were going to play with two number tens, one striker up top, and that we needed to score early to unsettle them and open them up,” Khumalo explained.

Boitumelo Radiopane troubling the Comoros defence. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Most of the teams we’ve faced have sat back and tried to catch us on set pieces or counterattacks. So this time, we aimed to get an early goal, pull them out of position by playing behind them, and then exploit the gaps.

“The two number tens helped draw them in, and our striker did the rest. It worked for us, and I’m pleased we got the goals we needed.”

On Sunday at 12:00, Madagascar will take on Comoros in the third-place playoff at the Toyota Stadium, before Bafana Bafana and Angola clash in the final at 15:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg