Accra

Elrio van Heerden delivered a late equaliser to salvage a point for Bafana Bafana against Angola in the African Nations Cup finals last night, rescuing a night of toil just when it seemed another international setback for SA was on the cards.

The 1-1 draw leaves Group D wide open after Senegal and Tunisia drew the earlier match in Tamale 2-2.

Hopes of fielding a competitive team at the 2010 World Cup looked several years rather than just 18 months away, as the South Africans again failed to convert possession into goals.

A nervous last touch, hesitancy in front of goal and an inability to find the target dogged the team's effort until the Belgian-based substitute rescued the result.

Angola went ahead in the 29th minute, profiting from one of the quick breakaways that characterise their approach.

Flying fullback Yamba Asha crossed over an overcommitted South African defence, found Flavio, who turned over a square chip that new Manchester United signing Mancuho steered into the net with a diving headed effort.

Up until the goal, the Angolans had sat back and absorbed the efforts of the quick-footed South African midfield, which controlled the middle but had no idea what to do with the ball on the edge of the opponents' area.

The goal deflated SA and allowed Angola to dictate the pace for the rest of the half, forcing coach Carlos Alberto Parreira into the gamble of a double change at the start of the second half.

While Lerato Chabangu made little impact, Thembinkosi Fanteni added more flair and punch as Sibusiso Zuma was moved wide. The ploy of playing a lone striker now looks dead in the water, with Parreira certain to go for two forwards in their next match on Sunday against Tunisia.

But it was the final change that provided the breakthrough, agonisingly close to the final whistle.

Van Heerden saw a gap open up in front of him, ran at the defence and then hit a cracking shot wide of Angola's goalkeeper, Lama.

Teko Modise had two similar efforts beaten out but was guilty, as Zuma was, of losing too much possession in the middle of the field.

But Parreira will be most concerned at the lack of confidence in front of the goal. SA continue to pay the price for a footballing culture that values trickery over the beauty of shooting for, and scoring, goals.

Aaron Mokoena had an effort ruled out when television replays showed his back flick from a free kick had crossed the line. But it looked as if the effort was ruled out for an earlier infringement. If not, Bafana Bafana were robbed of a clear goal.

SA now turn their focus to Tunisia, who also forced a draw in similar circumstances against the powerful-looking Senegalese.