Cape Verde dampens SAfrica spirits in 0-0 draw

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -Tournament debutant Cape Verde dampened South Africa's spirits at the African Cup of Nations by holding the host to 0-0 in the opening game on Saturday.

Cape Verde defied Bafana Bafana and a big home crowd to earn a draw and a point in its first game at a major tournament.

In persistent rain, Cape Verde even had the best chances, first when Helson Ramos screwed a shot wide of the right post when clear in the area in the 15th minute. Ramos then forced Itumeleng Khune into a scrambling save with his diving header in the 72nd.

South Africa's lackluster form continued under coach Gordon Igesund and underlined doubts the host would make any impact at its African Cup.