Played
January 19, 2013 4:00 PM GMT
FNB Stadium (Soccer City) — Johannesburg, GA
Referee: D. Haïmoudi
Attendance: 50000
January 19, 2013 4:00 PM GMT
FNB Stadium (Soccer City) — Johannesburg, GA
Referee: D. Haïmoudi
Attendance: 50000
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| South Africa | 1.61 | 10.00 | 1.61 | 0.00 | 13.00 | 1.55 | 9.50 | 6.50 | 1.62 |
| Draw | 3.60 | 1.08 | 3.60 | 0.00 | 1.05 | 3.70 | 1.05 | 1.01 | 3.45 |
| Cape Verde | 6.00 | 23.00 | 6.00 | 0.00 | 26.00 | 6.00 | 19.00 | 17.00 | 6.08 |
South Africa - Cape Verde Islands Preview: Africa Cup of Nations kicks-off in front of sell-out crowd
About 87 000 fans will turn out to watch the opening fixture of the 2013 Afcon which will be a tough test for the hosts, who face a motivated debutant outfit
By Daniel Eslick
Gettyimages
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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SOUTH AFRICA
 Khune Matlaba, Khumalo, Sangweni, Ngongca Serero, Furman, Dikgacoi, Phala Parker, Mphela |
CAPE VERDE ISLANDS
 Fock Varela, Gege, Nando, Nivaldo Babanco, Soares, Platini, Varela Mendes, Ramos |
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations is set to commence on Saturday, with hosts South Africa facing surprise package Cape Verde Islands at Soccer City in Johannesburg. The clash will be a test of nerves and belief for the home side, who are playing under the burden of expectation in front of 87 000 fans.
Neither side has experienced any injury concerns on the eve of the match, with both coaches free to choose their best XI for the opening fixture.
South African coach Gordon Igesund has been silent regarding releasing his team sheet before the match, deciding to keep his tactics under wraps until the tournament finally begins.
South Africa will hope for Thulani Serero to fire, as the Ajax Amsterdam midfielder is certainly the host's most capable attacking player. South Africa have looked to develop a fast-paced, quick passing game which plays into their strengths.
Katlego Mphela, Bafana Bafana's top-scorer, will look to add to his impressive tally of goals for the national side, despite his lacklustre performances in front of goal during preparations for the tournament.
The hosts have been unable to find the back of the net in the build-up to the tournament, with a 1-0 loss against a second-string Norwegian side and a 0-0 draw against Algeria sparking criticism from around the country's footballing fraternity.
Cape Verde are playing in the first finals in their history, a remarkable feat for one of the smallest countries in Africa. Their journey to the Africa Cup of Nations involved knocking out a fancied Cameroonian side, which has certainly raised eyebrows about the capabilities of the Islanders.
They have enjoyed a positive build-up to the tournament, utilising their hard-running football with a 0-0 draw against Nigeria being their most impressive result.
The Islanders possess a squad which is capable to beat anyone on its day, with the likes of Lille's Ryan Mendes as their first line of attack. The team have been known to play a high intensity brand of football, which is designed to close down opponents quickly.
Coach Lucio Antunes has reminded everyone that Cape Verde play without any fear and their never-say-die attitude will be put to the test in front of a partisan sell-out crowd on Saturday.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- The last time South Africa played Cape Verde Islands was during qualification fixtures for the 2006 Fifa World Cup, and Bafana Bafana were able to beat the Islanders both home and away.
- South Africa have only been able to net 7 goals in 8 matches under coach Gordon Igesund (pictured right).
- 15 of the 23-man South African squad ply their trade in South Africa's local Premier Soccer League. The remaining eight play in clubs in Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece and England.
- Cape Verde are the smallest nation playing in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, with their population totalling 500 000.
- Cape Verde stunned Cameroon during qualification for the tournament, with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
- Ricardo, recognised as Cape Verde's most talented defender, decided to continue playing for Pacos de Ferreira rather than represent the national side during the tournament.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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South Africa 2-1 Cape Verde
- 24.65 %
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South Africa 2-0 Cape Verde
- 12.5 %
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South Africa 3-1 Cape Verde
- 10.42 %
| Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) | 19 Jan 2013 | South Africa 0 - Cape Verde 0 |
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South Africa
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| 23 Mar 2013 | South Africa 2 - Central African Republic 0 | WCQA |
| 2 Feb 2013 | South Africa 1 - Mali 1 | ACN |
| 27 Jan 2013 | Morocco 2 - South Africa 2 | ACN |
| 23 Jan 2013 | South Africa 2 - Angola 0 | ACN |
| 19 Jan 2013 | South Africa 0 - Cape Verde 0 | ACN |
Cape Verde
  |
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| 24 Mar 2013 | Equatorial Guinea 4 - Cape Verde 3 | WCQA |
| 2 Feb 2013 | Ghana 2 - Cape Verde 0 | ACN |
| 27 Jan 2013 | Cape Verde 2 - Angola 1 | ACN |
| 23 Jan 2013 | Morocco 1 - Cape Verde 1 | ACN |
| 19 Jan 2013 | South Africa 0 - Cape Verde 0 | ACN |
| Returns: | South Africa £130.00 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 | |
| Returns: | Draw £36.00 |
|
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets | |
| Returns: | Cape Verde £260.00 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
| 16 | Itumeleng Isaac Khune | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | A. Ngcongca | Defender |
| - | Thabo Matlaba | Defender |
| 14 | Bongani Khumalo | Defender |
| 21 | S. Sangweni | Defender |
| 8 | Lawrence Siphiwe Tshabalala | Midfielder |
| 12 | Reneilwe Letsholonyane | Midfielder |
| 13 | Kagisho Dikgacoi | Midfielder |
| - | Thuso Phala | Midfielder |
| 18 | M. Majoro | Striker |
| 17 | Bernard Melvin Parker | Striker |
| 1 | Wayne Sandilands | Goalkeeper |
| - | Senzo Meyiwa | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Siboniso Pa Gaxa | Defender |
| 3 | Peter Tsepo Masilela | Defender |
| - | Thabo Nthethe | Defender |
| 10 | Thulani Serero | Midfielder |
| - | Dean Furman | Midfielder |
| 17 | May Sphiwe Mahlangu | Midfielder |
| - | O. Manyisa | Midfielder |
| 14 | Lerato Chabango | Striker |
| 9 | Katlego Mphela | Striker |
| - | Tokelo Anthony Rantie | Striker |
| - | Vozinha | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Fernando Varela | Defender |
| 6 | Nando | Defender |
| 15 | Nivaldo | Defender |
| 5 | Babanco | Midfielder |
| 13 | Platini | Midfielder |
| 8 | Toni Varela | Midfielder |
| 16 | Marco Soares | Midfielder |
| 10 | Héldon Ramos | Striker |
| 20 | Ryan Mendes | Striker |
| 22 | Carlitos | Striker |
| 12 | Fock | Goalkeeper |
| - | Rilly | Goalkeeper |
| - | Guy Ramos | Defender |
| 4 | Josimar Lima | Defender |
| 14 | Gêgê | Defender |
| - | Pecks | Defender |
| 18 | Sténio | Midfielder |
| 17 | Ronny Souto | Midfielder |
| - | David Silva | Midfielder |
| - | Julio Tavares | Striker |
| 21 | Djaniny | Striker |
| - | Zé Luís | |
| - | Rambé | Striker |
Results
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Didier Drogba Striker Galatasaray |
6 | 3 |
|
Mbokani Striker Anderlecht |
5 | 2 |
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Alain Traoré Midfielder FC Lorient |
5 | 0 |
|
Wakaso Midfielder Espanyol |
4 | 3 |
|
Victor Moses Midfielder Chelsea |
4 | 2 |
