South Africa vs Angola: Head-to-Head History Points to a Tight AFCON Opener

Bafana Bafana vs Angola: What the Head-to-Head Tells Us Ahead of AFCON

South Africa’s AFCON campaign opens with a fixture that history suggests will be decided by discipline rather than dominance.
Bafana Bafana and Angola have built a rivalry defined by control, patience and narrow scorelines. These two sides rarely separate by large margins, with most meetings hinging on a single moment. South Africa often see more of the ball, looking to dictate tempo through midfield. Angola, by contrast, thrive on structure, physical organisation and game management.
That contrast has consistently produced tense, low-scoring encounters. Draws have been common, particularly when the game settles into a tactical rhythm.
Home advantage has mattered in the past, but even then margins remained slim. Neutral venues have offered no relief, often ending level. This AFCON meeting fits the historical script perfectly.

Head-to-Head Stats (Senior Internationals – CHAN & COSAFA Excluded)

Total matches: 13
South Africa wins: 6
Angola wins: 1
Draws: 6

Goals scored:

• South Africa: 14

• Angola: 9

SA vs ANG: Past Results

• 20 Nov 2022 – South Africa 1–1 Angola
  Friendly, Mbombela Stadium

• 21 Mar 2018 – South Africa 1–1 Angola (SA won 6–5 on penalties)
  Friendly, Levy Mwanawasa Stadium (Neutral)

• 28 Mar 2017 – South Africa 0–0 Angola
  Friendly, Buffalo City Stadium

• 17 Nov 2015 – South Africa 1–0 Angola
  2018 World Cup Qualifier, Moses Mabhida Stadium

• 13 Nov 2015 – Angola 1–3 South Africa
  2018 World Cup Qualifier, Ombaka National Stadium

• 16 Jun 2015 – South Africa 2–1 Angola
  Friendly, Cape Town Stadium

• 23 Jan 2013 – South Africa 2–0 Angola
  AFCON 2013 Group A, Moses Mabhida Stadium

• 23 Jan 2008 – South Africa 1–1 Angola
  AFCON 2008 Group D, Tamale Stadium (Neutral)

• 15 Jan 2002 – South Africa 1–0 Angola
  Friendly, Mmabatho Stadium

• 20 Jun 1999 – Angola 2–2 South Africa
  AFCON 2000 Qualifier, Estádio da Cidadela

• 03 Oct 1998 – South Africa 1–0 Angola
  AFCON 2000 Qualifier, FNB Stadium

• 08 Feb 1998 – South Africa 0–0 Angola
  AFCON 1998 Group C, Neutral venue

• 20 Jan 1996 – South Africa 1–0 Angola
  AFCON 1996 Group A, FNB Stadium

Home / Away Breakdown

Matches in South Africa

• Played: 9

• South Africa wins: 5

• Draws: 4

• Angola wins: 0

Matches in Angola

• Played: 2

• South Africa wins: 1

• Draws: 1

• Angola wins: 0

Neutral venues

• Played: 2

• Draws: 2

Key trend:

• Majority of matches decided by one goal or less

• No heavy defeats recorded by either side

• A fixture where precision, not pressure, usually decides the outcome