Hosts Mauritius will meet Zambia in the final of the 2017 COSAFA Under-17 Championships in Port Louis on Sunday after coming through their semifinal matches with relative ease. Zambia defeated Malawi 2-0 in the first semi on Friday, while Mauritius saw-off the challenge of South Africa by the same scoreline.
Zambia sealed their final spot with two goals inside the first seven minutes from Martin Njobvu.
He took his tally for the competition to five, level with compatriot Lameck Banda at the top of the scorers list for 2017. His first was a gift as he swathed his way through the defence having been set up by Prince Mumba on three minutes.
And the shell-shocked Malawians had barely recovered when Njobvu added a second, with Andrew Phiri this time providing the assist. They had ample opportunities to add to their goals tally after that, but had to settle for the 2-0 win.
Mauritius had the more lively opening against the South Africans, but had to wait until a minute before halftime for their opener, scored by Louis Mitraille.
That goal spurred them on in the second period and when Mitraille added his second on 65 minutes, the home side were in full control.
It was an advantage they never relinquished and the South Africans will have to be content with playing for the bronze medal when they take on Malawi on Sunday (12h00 local; 08h00 GMT).
The Malawians finished third last season and after a promising campaign, will see that as a minimum for them again.
The final will be played at the Stade St Francois Xavier at 15h00 (11h00 GMT) as both Zambia and Mauritius seek a first COSAFA Under-17 Championships title.
FRIDAY’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS
Malawi 0 Zambia 2 (Njobvu 3’, 7’)
South Africa 0 Mauritius 2 (Mitraille 44’, 65’)
SUNDAY’S THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF FIXTURE
Malawi vs South Africa (KO 12h00 local, 08h00 GMT) – Stade St Francois Xavier
SUNDAY’S FINAL FIXTURE
Zambia vs Mauritius (KO 15h00 local, 11h00 GMT) – Stade St Francois Xavier
STANDINGS
Group A P W D L GF GA Pts
Malawi 3 3 0 0 9 0 9
Mauritius 3 2 0 1 3 3 6
Botswana 3 1 0 2 3 5 3
Zimbabwe 3 0 0 3 1 8 0
Group B P W D L GF GA Pts
South Africa* 3 2 0 1 10 7 6
Zambia 3 2 0 1 10 4 6
Mozambique 3 2 0 1 4 3 6
Madagascar 3 0 0 3 4 14 0
*SA top the pool on head-to-head against Zambia and Mozambique.
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 14
Goals scored: 48
Biggest victory: Zambia 7 Madagascar 1 (Group B, July 21)
Most goals in a game: 8 – Zambia 7 Madagascar 1 (Group B, July 21)
GOALSCORERS
5 goals – Lameck Banda (Zambia), Martin Njobvu (Zambia)
4 – Junior Nare (South Africa)
3 – Chinsinsi Maonga (Malawi), Mohammed Shahabodien (South Africa)
2 – Louis Mitraille (Mauritius), Patrick Mwaungulu (Malawi), Kaone Bogosi (Botswana)
1 – Mamitina Andriamahazaka (Madagascar), Mamisoa Andriamalala (Madagascar), Jean Aristide (Mauritius), Josephy Balakasi (Malawi), Tinotendaishe Benza (Zimbabwe), Geny Catamo (Mozambique), Adriano Chiu Chung Fat (Mauritius), Dillan Fanomezantsoa (Madagascar), Alex Da Silva (South Africa), Kingsley Hakwiya (Zambia), Celton Jamisse (Mozambique), Edilson Luis (Mozambique), Chikondi Mbeta (Malawi), James McFarlane (South Africa), Prince Mumba (Zambia), Gerson Novela (Angola), Louis Philibert (Mauritius), Stéphan Rakotovao (Madagascar), Olefile Ramatlo (South Africa), Godfrey Tauyatswala (Botswana), Frank Titani (Malawi), Tathedwa Willard (Malawi)
