Amaglug-glug, as the South African under-23 national team is affectionately known, clawed their way back from conceding an early goal to register a comfortable win over the hosts and will need only a draw from their next match to book a place in the semifinals.
South Africa squandered an early opportunity in the fourth minute when Phumulele Bhengu miscued a cross from Riaan Eugene with only the goalkeeper to beat in a one-on-one situation.
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| Ama Glug Glug |
A minute later a cross, from the right hand side, was not cleared by the South African defence and midfielder Artur Fait rose unchallenged at the far post to head the home team into the lead.
South Africa regrouped after the set back and began controlling the midfield play as they looked for the equaliser. It nearly came in the 19th minute when a pile driver from Sibusiso Khumalo was palmed by Mozambique goalkeeper, Jose Guirrugo, into the path of Bhengu, who missed the target with an open goal at his mercy
But South Africa made amends six minutes later when Themba Zwane whipped in a free kick to the near post and Khumalo, timing his run to perfection, got his head to the ball before the defenders and steered it past Guirrugo.
At 1-1 both teams put bodies behind the ball and there were few goalscoring opportunities in the remainder of the half.
South Africa came out determined to break the deadlocked early in the second period and got what they wanted when Mozambique conceded a free kick on the edge of the area in the 47th minute.
Thamsanga Sangweni blasted his shot past through the Mozambique wall and to the left of a diving Guirrugo. Coach Mart Nooij will no doubt ask questions of his defence as to how the wall broke when the kick was taken.
Mozambique's chances of drawing level were dealt a blow when Bernardo Cumbe was given his marching orders for intentional handball in the 60th minute.
South made full use of their numerical advantage and increased their lead when
Thabang Motau's long-range effort took a deflection off the Mozambique defender Muchanga and the ball evaded Guirrugo's outstretched hands.
Mozambique threw everything into attack but found South African 'keeper Nhlanhla Khuzwayo in fine from as he twice denied Joaquim Fernandes with one-handed saves.
With only three teams in Group A, South Africa know a point against Ghana on Wednesday will be good enough to see them through to the semifinals.
Mozambique will have to go back to the drawing board before they take on the Black Stars next weekend if they have any chances of remaining in the competition.
Mozambique: Guirrugo, Aguiar, Cumbe, Vaz, Machude (Parkim 87') , Uetimane (Jacinto 53') , Fait (Tomocene 81'), Fernandes, Muchanga, Madeira, Alberto
South Africa: Khuzwayo, Pule, Mxoyana, Sangweni, Khumalo, Zwane, Shongwe, Mkhwanazi, Bhengu (Ntombela 66') (Masalesa 90+1) , Motau, Eugene
Source http://allafrica.com
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