Angola defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday night.

The Angolans were marginally the better side and deserved their victory, handed to them by goals from Mateus and Manucho. Alain Traore briefly equalised for the Burkinabe but their mistakes in defence ultimately cost them dear.

The match was another triumph for Southern Africa over West African opposition at this tournament after Zambia defeated Senegal 2-1 on Saturday.

As Palancas Negras tried to find a breakthrough in the first half, Miguel fired just wide, then Flavio went close as he narrowly failed to get a touch onto Gilberto's free-kick.

Burkina Faso were reduced to long-range efforts on goal, none of which unduly worried Angolan goalkeeper Carlos.

Indeed, the opening half produced plenty of industry but few clear-cut chances, with niggling fouls and poor passing affecting the flow of the game.

But Angola were ahead just three minutes into the second period when Mateus collected the loose ball on the right-hand side of the penalty-box and fired in a low shot that left Daouda Diakite in the Burkina Faso goal with no chance.

The Burkinabe coach Paulo Duarte would have been annoyed at his defence for failing to avert the danger, but it was still a fine individual effort from Mateus.

As was the equaliser from Auxerre forward Traore, whose pinpoint free-kick on 55 minutes left Carlos with no chance. It was a piece of real international quality for the first time on the night from the Burkinabe.

Yet there was even better to come. Veteran Angola forward Manucho has played in some of the biggest leagues in Europe and he scored a goal on 69 minutes that could have graced any of them.

His left-footed strike from 35 yards arrowed into the corner of the net and gave the Angolans the advantage once more, which this time they managed to hold on to.

Burkina Faso should have been level nine minutes from time when forward Moumouni Dagano had a free header, but he could only direct it straight at Carlos. A yard either side of the goalkeeper and he would have scored.

Angola's win takes them to the top of Group B on goal-difference, ahead of Cote d'Ivoire, who were 1-0 winners over Sudan at the same venue earlier in the day.

The next round of matches in this pool sees Sudan meet Angola and Cote d'Ivoire take on Burkina Faso on Thursday.