LUANDA, Angola (AP) — Tournament hosts Angola scored twice in five minutes to beat Malawi 2-0 and move atop Group A in the African Cup of Nations yesterday.

Flavio and Manucho netted soon after half-time in a dominating performance before a fervent home crowd, leaving Angola needing just a point in their next game against Algeria on Monday to advance to the quarter-finals.

Angola led Group A after two matches with four points, one more than Malawi and World Cup qualifiers Algeria. Mali were last with one.

Algeria beat Mali 1-0 earlier yesterday.

Angola didn’t score until three minutes after half-time when Flavio powerfully headed home Djalma’s cross. Manucho doubled the lead five minutes later after taking advantage of Peter Mponda’s bad clearance.

Angola attacked from the start, repeatedly testing Malawi goalkeeper Swadick Sanudi, who brilliantly kept his side afloat.

Sanudi’s diving save denied Manucho’s angled shot from 10 yards in the sixth minute.

The goalie tipped away Flavio’s long-range effort in the 20th, and smiled four minutes later when Djalma cut through two Malawian defenders only to shoot high.

Flavio had another chance for the Black Antelopes in the 27th after a goalward flick by Manucho, but his low shot from the edge of the area went straight into Sanudi’s hands.

Sanudi kept Malawi in the game with another diving save on Manucho, blocking for a corner in the 35th and further frustrating Angolan fans.

Malawi, booed for its effective passing game, almost scored against the run of play in the 40th when left back Moses Chavula’s cross was backheeled by Peter Wadabwa and almost beat Angola goalkeeper Lama.

Chances kept coming for Angola, but the goal didn’t. Stelvio and Carlos thought their combination would be rewarded in injury time of the first half, but once again the ball floated over the bar.

Malawi ran out of luck just after the intermission when Flavio broke the deadlock.

Malawi defender Mponda was punished a few minutes later after needlessly giving the ball to Manucho, who doubled Angola’s advantage with a well-timed shot that gave Sanudi no chance.

Malawi couldn’t deal with Angola’s attack in the second half. Manucho and substitute Pedro came close in the 67th and 75th.

After a promising start to its African Cup campaign, Malawi need to beat Mali on Monday to have a chance of advancing.