Bafana Bafana defeated Angola 7-6 on penalties to advance to the final of the Four Nations tournament on Wednesday at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

The encounter got off to a slow start with both sides unwilling to give away too much in the way of attack in the opening exchanges.

South Africa almost opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Aubrey Modiba rose highest to meet Reeve Frosler’s cross, but the winger’s header was saved by Angola goalkeeper Lando Mavanga.

Angola responded with attacks of their own and came close through a long-range effort by Djalma Campos in the 28th minute, but goalkeeper Darren Keet proved equal to the task.

Angola were not to be denied three minutes later as Campos took advantage of a sloppy pass by defender Buhle Mkhwanazi before burying his effort.

Stuart Baxter’s side came out guns blazing in the second stanza and were level five minutes after the restart when striker Lebo Mothiba’s audacious flick found the back of the net.

Baxter opted for a double change in the 70th minute with Ryan Moon and Siphesihle Ndlovu replacing Phakamani Mahlambi and Modiba respectively.

Moon almost gave his side the lead minutes after coming on, but his header sailed inches wide of the mark following a corner from Themba Zwane.

Neither side were able to find the winner in regulation time, forcing the clash into a shootout, where Keet emerged as the hero to help Bafana run out 7-6 victors on penalties and advance to the final of the tournament.

Starting XI:

Bafana Bafana XI: Keet, Frosler, Madisha, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Furman, Zwane, Zungu (Vilakazi 86′), Modiba (Ndlovu 72′), Mahlambi (Moon 70′), Mothiba.

Angola XI: Lando, Daniel, Bartolomeu Quissanga, Gaspar, Carneiro, Cafumana, Carmo, Estevao, Campos, Afonso, Felix .

Photo: Bafana Bafana twitter account