African News

Take a look at our player breakdown of South Africa and Cape Verde during their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Group A clash.

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South Africa:

Itumeleng Khune: Remained largely untested throughout the game but showed good authority in his area when dealing with aerial balls, while his distribution was at its usual high standards. 6/10

Anele Ngcongca: Showed good movement out wide, in both defence and attack, with some crisp passing and good spacial awareness. 6/10

Thabo Matlaba: Full of energy and running throughout the tie, causing most of the problems for Cape Verde down the wing, although largely ineffective with deliveries into the area. 6/10

Bongani Khumalo: Showed good composure at the back and dominated in the air, while also did well to keep a solid formation at the back. 6/10

Siyabonga Sangweni: Was unable to have his usual offensive impact from the back, resorting mainly to clearing any danger on the spot with some long, hoofed clearances. 5/10

Kagisho Dikgacoi: Failed to make any real impact from the middle of the park as the side struggled going forward in the opening 45 minutes, resulting in his half-time substitution. 5/10

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: Clumsy on the ball at times and looked rushed when in possession, giving away the ball on several occasions while also conceding unnecessary free-kicks in his own half. 5/10

Thuso Phala: One of Bafana's stand-out players on the day, producing some excellent runs out wide, but ultimately proving ineffective in the final third with some woeful passing and decision making. 7/10

Siphiwe Tshabalala: Largely ineffective for the host nation, with the Kaizer Chiefs playmaker unable to find his usual swagger coming forward, with Gordon Igesund ultimately substituting him shortly after the restart. 5/10

Lehlohonolo Majoro: Played a supporting role up front but was unable to get himself into any threatening positions, leaving a lot of the work-load on his strike partner. 5/10

Bernard Parker: The leading goal scorer in the Premier Soccer League looked nervous for long periods of the match, resulting in some tentative touches inside the area, while his eye for goal was well off after shooting wide on a couple of occasions. 5/10

Substitutes:

Lerato Chabangu: Looked strong going forward when introduced at half-time, but was unable to work himself any real goal-scoring opportunities, preferring instead to hang on the edge of the area when in attack. 6/10

Katlego Mphela: Had a limited time in which to impact the game but was unable to make a nuisance of himself, resulting in a bland final 20 minutes in the final third. 4/10

Thulani Serero: Looked lively immediately after coming on in the second-half but peetered out towards the end of the game as Bafana's passing became more and more scrappy when going forward. 5/10

Cape Verde:

Josimar Vozinha: Had little to do between the sticks but looked alert when called into action, making some important clearances and interceptions. 6/10

Fernando Varela: Helped bring the ball out from defence to attack with some intelligent movement, while also did well to marshal the Bafana wingers, who were doing most of the attacking. 6/10

Elvis Babanco: Looked composed at the back and did well in the aerial challenges, while also distributed the ball with confidence from the back. 6/10

Neves Nando: Kept possession well and played some excellent offensive passes to keep the pressure off the back-line. 6/10

Luis Platini: Definitely one to watch at this tournament, showing plenty of initiative and inventiveness when going forward, while also creating most of Cape Verde's attacking movement. 7/10

Tony Varela: Failed to really stamp his authority on the game and was forced mostly into a defensive position for the Blue Sharks. 5/10

Santos Nivaldo: Looked dangerous when coming forward but was unable to find the final pass to play any of his team-mates in behind the defence. 6/10

Marco Soares: Showed glimpses of his abilities with some crisp passing and a keen eye for the through-ball. 5/10

Ramos Nhuck: Always dangerous in attack and looked Cape Verde's most likely outlet for a goal, but was ultimately limited to only a handful of chances. 6/10

Ryan Mendes: Will probably go home with the match ball after putting in a sterling performance, constantly harrying the opposition defenders, but was ultimately unable to find a way past the goalkeeper. 7/10

Taveres Carlitos: Was unable to make much of an impact in the final third, but looked dangerous at moments and showed promise heading into the rest of the group stages. 4/10

Substitutes:

Julio Tavares: Proved a threat in the Bafana area with his height, although was unable to make a major impact after coming on as a substitute. 5/10

Amado Rony: Had only a handful of minutes to try and change the course of the game but was unable to make any telling impact. 5/10

David Silva: Proved quiet after coming on as a substitute, but showed some composed touches and crisp passing when going forward. 5/10