( CNN ) -- Its coach , Lucio Antunes , is an air-traffic controller , but not even he would have predicted that the tiny island of Cape Verde would soar into the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations Sunday . The smallest ever nation to score and win at the tournament , Cape Verde defeated Angola 2-1 in Port Elizabeth , South Africa . There are 10 islands -- with a population of just half a million -- which make up Cape Verde 's archipelago . But in its first ever appearance at the finals , where most were expecting it to fail , the 'Blue Sharks ' have captured the imagination of the watching world with its fairytale story . Mourinho mentors Cape Verde 's 'Special One ' Antunes , whose side defeated the might of Cameroon in the qualifying playoff , had drawn with host South Africa and Morocco in its previous two group games . And despite trailing 1-0 through an own-goal , the 'Blue Sharks ' hit back with two strikes in the final nine minutes to see off Angola . `` My team and I dedicate this victory to the wonderful people of the Cape Verde Islands , '' he told reporters . `` Our objective at this tournament has been achieved . We wanted to reach the quarterfinals . '' After earning independence from Portugal in 1975 , Cape Verde had to wait 17 years before being able to play a competitive match . But Antunes , who revealed before the tournament in an interview with CNN 's Human to Hero series that he had received advice from Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho , has created a team which is keen to make up for lost time . And it showed all its fighting qualities after falling behind in the 33rd minute when skipper Neves put the ball into his own goal . That setback appeared to rouse Antunes ' side and after Gege had headed home an 81st minute equalizer , Heldon popped up at the death to fire home a dramatic winner . Africa Cup of Nations 2013 : The teams . Cape Verde progresses to the last eight along with host nation South Africa , which claimed a 2-2 draw against Morocco in an entertaining game in Durban . Issam El Adoua and Abdelilah Hafidi put the Atlas Lions ahead only for May Mahlangu and Siyabonga Sangweni to level and condemn Morocco to a fourth consecutive first round exit . It means the host , which has only won a single game in the past nine years at the tournament , finishes top of Group A , much to the delight of coach Gordon Igesund . South Africa finally up and running . He told reporters : `` We feel very , very proud to have achieved our first objective . I must thank the players and the fans . `` Morocco was a very tough team . I do not want to point out mistakes , but we conceded two goals we should not have done . There are now two games to the final and I believe in my players . '' Rival coach Rachid Taoussi said : `` I am very disappointed with the result , but we fought with dignity and honor . I am satisfied . We did not lose a game and the tournament was a positive one for me . ''
Cape Verde books its place in quarterfinal of Africa Cup of Nations with 2 - 1 win over Angola . Cape Verde , with a population of 500,000 , is the smallest ever nation to compete at the tournament . Host nation South Africa qualified for last place with 2 - 2 draw against Morocco . Morocco also tops group from Cape Verde in Group Stage .