Zimpapers Logo

South Africa will look to confirm progression into the group stages of Africa’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers when they host Angola for the return match of their tie at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban this evening, kick-off at 19:00 CAT.

The match will be broadcast on SS4 HD and will also be available via live streaming.

Bafana Bafana claimed an emphatic 3-1 win in the first leg in Benguela on Friday, recovering from an early goal by the hosts’ Gelson to power to victory thanks to strikes from Tokelo Rantie, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Andile Jali.

The result puts Shakes Mashaba’s side in a very favourable position ahead of the second leg, but the coach says he will resist the urge to make many changes to his side, instead opting for just a couple of tweaks as Bafana look for consistency of performance.

“We might make one or two changes in the team on Tuesday but we don’t want to make big changes because I know I lot of people will say no, you are 3-1 up and why don’t you go for changes?” said Mashaba.

“It’s not about giving people a chance, it’s about keeping consistency in performance. Make more changes and you’re breaking the momentum of the team so we’ll [only] try to make changes here and there.”

Angola coach Romeu Filemon says his side is “refusing to throw in the towel”, though he admitted Bafana were “much smarter” in the first match and deserved their victory.

Palancas Negras captain Bastos says “it’ll be difficult, but it’s not impossible” to win in South Africa, adding that his side “will have to work harder — it’ll be a different game because now we’re on the back foot”.

South Africa have released Jali from the squad, as he is suspended for the match in Durban after being sent off in the first leg in Benguela on Friday. — Sport24.