Angola and dynamic Depu retain COSAFA Cup title with victory over South Africa

Angola are COSAFA Cup champions for a second straight edition after the Palancas Negras stormed to a 3-0 victory over hosts South Africa in Sunday’s final at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Striker Depu finished off a sensational tournament, scoring Angola’s first two goals in the final to bring his goal total to eight strikes. After a closely fought start to the match, the Gil Vicente forward broke South African resistance close to halftime when he got on the end of a Pedro Bondo free kick to send a looping header beyond the reach of Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa.

South Africa played well for long stretches but Angola’s superior finishing proved to be the difference. In the 62nd minute the Palancas Negras doubled their advantage when a ball from midfield found forward Zini on the right wing, whose low cross found Depu for a low first-time finish through the legs of Mbanjwa.

Angola finished off the victory in style with Milson’s free kick and the celebrations began early for the Lusophone side.

It is Angola’s fifth COSAFA Cup title, moving them level with South Africa for the third most all-time behind Zimbabwe (six titles) and Zambia (seven). Earlier on Sunday at the same venue, Comoros defeated fellow island nation Madagascar 1-0 to capture third place.

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