Angola 2 Malawi 0:African Nations Cup hosts Angola avoided another late collapse as second-half strikes from Manucho and Flavio helped them see off surprise package Malawi in Luanda and move to the top of Group A.
The Angolans showed few ill effects from their opening match in the same stadium, when they led 4-0 against Mali before conceding four goals in the last 12 minutes and having to settle for a draw.
Malawi were primed to cause another upset after their stunning 3-0 opening win over World Cup qualifiers Algeria but they were quickly pegged back in their own half by the attacking home side.
Manucho saw a shot saved by keeper Swadic Sanudi in the sixth minute, then the Real Valladolid striker almost got onto the end of a fine Jose Mabinda cross but Sanudi reacted quicker.
Manuel Djalma fired over the bar in the 24th minute then Sanudi saved from Flavio. When Manucho raced clear but shot wide just past the half-hour mark, Angolan nerves began to show.
Essau Kanyenda could have scored from Malawi’s first chance but he swept a shot wide from the edge of the box, then the same player stumbled when attempting to fire home Moses Chavalas’ cross.
Finally Angola broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Djalma produced another fine cross and Flavio got up to nod the ball past Sanudi and give his side the lead.
And five minutes later Angola took control of the game when Manucho pounced on a mistake by Malawi captain Peter Mponda before sailing a delightful chip over Sanudi into the back of the net.
Memories might have flooded back to their meltdown against Mali but on this occasion Angola played out time with the minimum of fuss and Pedro Mantorras almost added to their tally with a late free-kick.