Day three of the TotalEnergies U20 AFCON Egypt 2023 COSAFA Qualifiers continued with some exciting youth football action, as Botswana gave themselves a fighting chance of advancing to the next round following a 1-0 win over Mauritius, while Zambia overcame hosts Eswatini by 2-0 at the Somhlolo Stadium.
The scorching heat resulted in a very slow start to the 12h00 kick off between Botswana and Mauritius with both sides opting to reserve their energies in the demanding heat of Lobamba.
It was Mauritius who asked the first question of the keeper after Jaqcues Prosper did well to time his run from a through ball, but his misdirected shot went wide off target.
The deadlock eventually broke in the 26th minute after a lapse of concentration from the water-break resulted in a set piece on the edge of the box finding its way to Botshelo Motsheja who headed home to give Botswana the lead.
Mauritius almost levelled matters just before the break after Mohammad Kadar did well to squeeze in a shot from a very tight angle for the keeper to fist away to safety.
Coming from the break, Obakeng Phuthi had the first attempt at goal after a good interchange of passes concluded with the skipper firing a low shot that had the beating of the keeper but went inches wide.
Phuthi had another glorious opportunity to extend the lead towards the end of the match after doing well to lose his marker in the box before unleashing a stunning strike that was met by an equally good save by the keeper, who worked overtime in keeping the score to a respectable 1-0 loss.
The much anticipated 15h30 kick off between Zambia and Eswatini lived up to all to all expectations with the first attack of the match coming in a minute into the game when Sinenkosi Dlamini’s trademark cross found Banele Nkambule, who could not direct his shot for the opener.
Zambian dangerman, Rickson Ng’ambi could have grabbed the lead minutes later, after a misjudged ball saw him through on goal for him to disappointingly send his effort wide.
It continued to be end-to-end action as the troublesome Joseph Banda did well to connect to a floating ball with a strong volley that was saved by Siyabonga Magagula in the 15th minute.
The hosts were unfortunate not to take the lead at the half hour mark when the speedy Nkambule did well to cut his cross back for the oncoming Sizwe Khumalo who saw his effort rebound of the woodwork.
Young Chipolopolo eventually found the lead in the 37th minute after a brilliant cross to the far post found Emmanuel Mukhosha who chested the ball down before firing home to give the Zambians a first half lead.
The lead was doubled in the 66th minute after Ng’ambi dispossessed Philiswa Dube from a high press to find Lombe Mutale, who fired into the roof of the net from close range.
Eswatini tried to unlock the stubborn defense of the Zambians who continued to be resolute for a well-deserved 2-0 victory and put one foot forward into the semi-finals.
Looking at tomorrow’s fixtures, Seychelles and Lesotho who suffered the worst defeats of the competitions at 5-1 and 5-0 respectively will be looking at putting up much-improved performances when they meet at the Somhlolo Stadium.
Mozambique then takes on Angola, in a match up involving two teams that are high in confidence following their impressive high scoring victories.
Malawi will aim to extend their lead on in group C when they face a confident Comoros who pulled off the first upset of the tournament after edging last year’s finalists, Namibia 1-0 in their opening fixture.
South Africa conclude the day with a tricky assignment against Namibia who will be hoping to redeem themselves from their disappointing 1-0 loss against Comoros.
MONDAY FIXTURES
Seychelles v Lesotho
Mozambique v Angola
Comoros v Malawi
Namibia v South Africa
STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Botswana | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| Mauritius | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Angola | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| Mozambique | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Seychelles | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
| Lesotho | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Malawi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Comoros | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 | -1 | 0 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 8
Goals scored: 23
Biggest victory: Angola 5 Lesotho 0, Mozambique 5 Seychelles 0 (08 October 2022)
Most goals in a game: 6 (08 October 2022)
GOALSCORERS
2 goals – Rickson Ng’ambi (Zambia), Diogenes Inacio (Angola), Djwa Ramos (Mozambique), Denio Munhave (Mozambique)
1 goals – Chipyoka Songa (Zambia), Nonofo Mosweunyane (Botswana), Mayibongwe Mabuza (Eswatini), Vincent Mkandawire (Malawi), Chifundo Mphasi (Malawi), Danilson Makokisa (Angola), Isaac Vidal (Angola), Antonio Lopes (Angola), Antonio Sumbane (Mozambique), Glen Younousse (Comoros), Chamito Alfandega (Mozambique), Botshelo Motsheja (Botswana), Emmanuel Mukosha (Zambia), Lombe Mutale (Zambia).
OWN GOAL
1 goal – Nonofo Mosweunyane (Botswana)
La Zambie fait un pas de plus vers les demies
Maurice est devenu la première formation à être éliminé de la TotalEnergies AFCON U20
Egypt 2023 | COSAFA Qualifier après une courte défaite contre le Botswana (1-0) dimanche.
Pour sa part, la Zambie a ajouté trois nouveaux points dans son escarcelle après un nouveau succès. Dimanche, c’est l’Eswatini qui a subi la dure loi des Young Chipopolos en s’inclinant 2-0.
C’est une nouvelle fois au Somhlolo Stadium que les quatre pensionnaires du groupe A se
sont expliqués au cours de cette troisième journée. Le Botswana s’est bien rattrapé après sa défaite face à l’Eswatini Les Botswanais se sont contenté du minimum face à Maurice.
Motsheja a inscrit l’unique but de la rencontre à la 26 e minute. Il a notamment profité d’un coup franc venant de la gauche pour ouvrir le score.
Mais les Mauriciens, conscients quel’élimination s’approchait, ont tenté de répliquer à plusieurs reprises. Sans succès toutefois.
Sizwe Kumalo regrettera pendant cette occasion manquée à la 30 e minute lorsqu’il envoyait le cuir sur la transversale. Quant à ses partenaires, ils ont souvent eu l’opportunité de
revenir, notamment sur les débordements. Mais la défense Zambienne tenait bon toutefois.
Plus réaliste, la Zambie ne gâchait aucune de ses occasions franches. Un premier but a été
inscrit par Mukosha à la 37 e minute de jeu. Mutale soignera la différence de but en trouvant la faille après l’heure de jeu.
Quatre rencontres sont au programme de ce lundi. En entrée, les Seychelles affrontent le
Lesotho alors que les Comores seront aux prises avec le Malawi. Ensuite, on aura droit à un duel de canonnier entre le Mozambique et l’Angola.
Les deux pays lusophones ont inscrit cinq buts au terme de leur première sortie. D’un côté, il y a Diogenes Inácio de l’Angola. Ce dernier a inscrit un doublé hier. Mais il saura à qui parler car le Mambinhas Djwa Ramos en est déjà à deux buts également.
Les Seychelles et le Lesotho sont, eux, au bord de l’élimination. Les deux formations ont été battues en entrée et ont surtout un énorme déficit de buts à remonter ce lundi. Les
Seychellois ont montré quelques bonnes dispositions malgré leur revers.
Ils ont inscrit un but contre le Mozambique mais il faudra plus que ça ce lundi. Même chose pour le Lesotho qui devra travailler sa finition.
Les Comores ont été la bonne surprise de ce début de tournoi. Ils ont eu le dernier mot
contre la Namibie hier. Ils peuvent se rapprocher d’une éventuelle qualification pour le
dernier carré ce lundi. Une nouvelle fois, ils devraient faire parler leur impact physique. Mais attention, le Malawi a illuminé la rencontre de samedi en dominant l’Afrique du Sud 2-0.
Le jeu de patience adopté par les Juniors Flames a finalement été récompensé. Cette même stratégie devrait être adoptée une nouvelle fois.
La Namibie, finaliste malheureux de la dernière édition, est au bord de l’élimination. Les
Namibiens ont été bousculés par les Seychelles et devront se rattraper face à l’Afrique du
Sud. Les Amajitas ont aussi été piégés au terme de leur sortie inaugurale. Sans surprise,
cette rencontre devrait être très rythmée
Botswana ganha fôlego e Zâmbia está a um passo das “meias”
A Selecção do Botswana redimiu-se da derrota sofrida diante dos anfitriões, Eswatini na primeira jornada da 28ª edição da Taça COSAFA em Sub-20, após derrotar as Maurícias pela margem mínima de 1-0, em partida da segunda jornada do Grupo A realizada na tarde deste domingo, no Somhlolo Stadium, em Mazini, no Reino da Eswatini.
Por sua vez, a Zâmbia travou o anfitrião, Eswatini por 2-0, graças ao golos de Emmanuel Mukosha (37´) e do defesa Power Dynamo da Zâmbia, Lombe Mutale (66´). Com estes resultados, os zambianos comandam a pauta classificativa com seis pontos, enquanto Eswatini e Botswana partilham os mesmos pontos (3), sendo que a já afastada equipa das Maurícias está na cauda da tabela sem nenhum ponto.
Entretanto, o dia de amanhã está reservado a embates aliciantes nos grupos B e C. O campeão em título, Moçambique, que se estreou com uma goleada (5-1) frente às Seychelles no último sábado, recebe amanhã, segunda-feira, às 15.30 horas, no Somhlolo Stadium, a sua congénere de Angola, que também venceu por expressivos 5-0, a sua congénere do Lesotho. Só a vitória interessa para os dois conjuntos.
De resto, será um desafio que exigirá maior contração por parte dos “Mambinhas, que terão pela frente um adversário com o qual perderam em 2019, por 1-0, na edição disputada em Lusaka, Zâmbia. Será sem dúvidas, uma ocasião para o ajuste de contas entre os dois países irmãos.
A anteceder o embate lusófono, os representantes das Seychelles e do Lesotho (12.00 horas), jogarão entre si na luta pelos três pontos. Já no Grupo C, Malawi que venceu na estreia, terá pela frente as Comores (12.00 horas), no Mavuso Stadium, enquanto que o vice-campeão, Namíbia, terá pela frente o oito vezes campeão, África do Sul (15.30 horas), esta que vem de uma derrota diante do Malawi na ronda inaugural.
Segundo o regulamento da prova, as equipas estão dispostas em três grupos (ABC), em que transitam para as meias-finais apenas os primeiros melhores classificados de cada e o segundo melhor de todos.
Esta competição tem o condão de apurar o representante da zona que irá disputar o Campeonato Africano das Nações (CAN), que terá lugar no Egipto em 2023.
Botswana vence e volta a sonhar
Foi de baixo de um sol tórrido que se fez sentir na tarde ontem (domingo), na zona de Lobamba, onde está localizado o Somhlolo Stadium, que os treinados de Patrick Kowa tiveram que aplicar-se a fundo para derrotar os insulares neste confronto. Os Young Zebras, nome de guerra do Botswana marcaram o único golo da partida a passagem do minuto 26 por intermédio do defesa Botshelo Motseheja.
Com várias paragens observadas para dar a possibilidade de os atletas hidratarem-se, ambas recolheram ao intervalo com a magra vantagem.
Na segunda parte assistiu-se um festival de falhanços para ambos lados. Os ilhéus disseram adeus a prova, visto que está descartada a hipótese de lutar pelo título, o mesmo não pode dizer do Botswana, que conseguiu arrecadar três preciosos pontos que lhe possibilitam transitar a fase seguinte.
