EN, FR, PR: Namibia join Zambia in semi-finals as Cuna hits hat-trick for Mozambique at COSAFA U20 Qualifier
Namibia completed a perfect Group A campaign at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier on Tuesday as they defeated Seychelles 3-0 to become the second team to book their place in the semi-finals.
Hosts Mozambique also produced an emphatic display as Alírio Cuna scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over Mauritius, taking his tournament tally to five goals and putting his side firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages as the best runner-up.
Namibia finished top of Group A with nine points from three matches, having scored five goals without conceding, while Mozambique claimed second place with six points and a goal difference of +7.
Seychelles finished third with three points, while Mauritius ended their campaign without a point.
The 12-team competition runs until September 27, with the three pool winners and the best runner-up advancing to the semi-finals. The two finalists will qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2027.
Namibia had already taken control of Group A with successive 1-0 victories over Mauritius and Mozambique, and needed only a draw against Seychelles to guarantee their place in the semi-finals.
But the Young Warriors made their intentions clear as Rashid Naobeb opened the scoring in the 15th minute to register his second goal of the tournament.
Namibia took that advantage into halftime before Mateus Ashitenda doubled their lead in the 62nd minute.
Lukas Sakeus completed the victory 12 minutes from the end as Namibia maintained their 100% record and recorded a third successive clean sheet.
The result sees them join Zambia in the semi-finals after the Junior Chipolopolo secured top spot in Group C with a game to spare on Monday.
Mozambique also produced an impressive performance as they brushed aside Mauritius 5-0 to give themselves an excellent chance of advancing as the best runner-up.
Cuna struck twice in the opening 19 minutes, breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute before doubling his side’s advantage seven minutes later.
Khensane Machel added a third in the 25th minute as Mozambique took a commanding lead into halftime.
Cuna completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute to move clear at the top of the tournament’s goalscoring charts with five.
There was still time for Rizan Romao to add a fifth goal six minutes into stoppage-time, completing the biggest victory of the tournament so far.
Cuna had also scored twice in Mozambique’s opening 4-1 victory over Seychelles and has now contributed five of the hosts’ nine goals at the tournament.
Mozambique’s six points and healthy goal difference leave them well placed in the race for the fourth semi-final berth, although they must await the conclusion of Groups B and C on Wednesday.
The final round of group matches promises plenty of drama as defending champions South Africa seek to protect their lead in Group B when they face Eswatini at ABB Stadium 1 at 12h00 CAT (10h00 GMT).
Amajita have six points from two matches following victories over Lesotho and Angola, scoring five goals without conceding. A draw against Eswatini would guarantee South Africa top spot.
Angola, who have three points, meet Lesotho simultaneously at ABB Stadium 2 and will hope to secure another victory to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Eswatini also have three points after their dramatic 3-2 victory over Lesotho and know they must defeat South Africa to have a chance of progressing.
In Group C, Zambia have already secured their semi-final place following successive victories over Malawi and Comoros.
They conclude their campaign against Botswana at ABB Stadium 1 at 15h00 CAT (13h00 GMT), while Malawi take on Comoros at ABB Stadium 2 at the same time.
Malawi have three points and need another victory to give themselves a chance of advancing as the best runner-up, while Botswana and Comoros have a point each.
Matches will be streamed live for FREE on FIFA+, COSAFA’s YouTube channel and CAF TV. Matches will also be broadcast on TVM.
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
Group A – ABB Stadium 1
Mozambique 5 (Cuna 12’, 19’, 77’, Machel 25’, Romao 90+6’) Mauritius 0
Group A – ABB Stadium 2
Namibia 3 (Naobeb 15’, Ashitenda 62’, Sakeus 78’) Seychelles 0
WEDNESDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B – ABB Stadium 1
South Africa vs Eswatini (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Group B – ABB Stadium 2
Lesotho vs Angola (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Group C – ABB Stadium 1
Zambia vs Botswana (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Group C – ABB Stadium 2
Malawi vs Comoros (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Namibia (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Mozambique | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Seychelles | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 3 |
| Mauritius | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Angola | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
| Lesotho | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Malawi | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Botswana | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
| Comoros | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches played: 14
Goals scored: 44
Goals-per-game: 3.14
Biggest victory: Mozambique 5 Mauritius 0 (Group A, September 22)
Most goals in a game: 7 – Mauritius 3 Seychelles 4 (Group A, September 20).
GOALSCORERS
5 goals – Alírio Cuna (Mozambique)
3 – Lorenzo Hoareau (Seychelles), Steven Mendes (South Africa)
2 – Billy Daka (Zambia), Njabulo Gama (Eswatini), Quentin Lalsing (Mauritius), Rashid Naobeb (Namibia), Lukas Sakeus (Namibia)
1 – Faizal Abdala (Mozambique), Mateus Ashitenda (Namibia), Naythan Barbe (Seychelles), Misheck Billiat (Malawi), Grant Chibalo (Malawi), Kayula Chinunda (Zambia), Lekanyane Kalache (Lesotho), Clever Kalambo (Malawi), António Kulica (Angola), Khensane Machel (Mozambique), Fanuel Macuácua (Mozambique), Lazola Maku (South Africa), Andiswa Malaza (Eswatini), Tebogo Mlangeni (South Africa), Jairo Muanha (Angola), Tumalo Mununga (Zambia), Domingos Muxito (Angola), Abel Nyirongo (Zambia), Luís Panda (Angola), Eriano Rajabary (Seychelles), Jean Ravina (Mauritius), Rizan Romao (Mozambique), Kabelo Tuoane (Lesotho)
La Namibie dans le dernier carré
La phase de groupes des qualifications de la TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier a livré son verdict pour la poule A ce mardi, ouvrant brillamment la voie à une journée de mercredi qui s’annonce explosive pour le dénouement des autres groupes en lice. La Namibie a validé son précieux billet pour les demi-finales en s’imposant très logiquement face aux Seychelles (3-0).
Le jeune joueur Rashid Naobeb a ouvert le score dès la 18e minute de jeu, avant que ses coéquipiers de la sélection Mateus Ashitenda (61e) et Micheal Kandume (76e) ne scellent définitivement ce troisième succès de rang. Avec un magnifique sans-faute, les Namibiens terminent seuls en tête de leur poule avec neuf points. Dans l’autre rencontre, le Mozambique a littéralement pulvérisé l’équipe de Maurice (5-0), signant par la même occasion la plus large victoire du tournoi à ce jour.
L’attaquant vedette Alírio Cuna a éclaboussé la partie de tout son talent en s’offrant un triplé retentissant (12e, 19e, 77e), ce qui l’isole désormais en tête des meilleurs buteurs de l’épreuve avec cinq réalisations au total. Machel (25e) et Rizan (90+6e) ont complété le festival offensif des Mozambicains qui valident aussi leur précieuse qualification pour le tour suivant.Ce mercredi, la compétition régionale s’annonce particulièrement indécise avec les ultimes affiches des Groupes B et C.
Dans la poule B à 12h, l’Afrique du Sud, solide leader avec deux victoires consécutives, n’a besoin que d’un simple match nul face à l’Eswatini pour sécuriser définitivement sa place dans le dernier carré. Au même moment, l’Angola jouera tout son avenir face au Lesotho et devra impérativement s’imposer en soignant sa différence de buts pour espérer continuer l’aventure. Du côté du Groupe C à 15h, la formation de la Zambie se présente déjà officiellement qualifiée pour les demi-finales grâce à ses deux succès initiaux et affrontera le Botswana pour confirmer sa suprématie.
Le véritable enjeu concernera le Malawi, opposé aux Comores, qui jettera toutes ses forces dans la bataille pour arracher la place de meilleur deuxième de la compétition. Avec déjà 44 buts inscrits en 14 rencontres depuis le début, le spectacle est totalement garanti et cette ultime journée de football de jeunes promet une intensité totale entre toutes les différentes nations africaines engagées.
Namíbia confirma “meias” e Moçambique em modo espera…
A fase de grupos da qualificação para a TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Sub-20 | COSAFA Qualifier ficou esta terça-feira decidida no Grupo A, abrindo caminho para uma jornada de quarta-feira que se antevê decisiva para o desfecho dos restantes grupos em competição. A Namíbia garantiu o seu precioso lugar nas meias-finais ao impor-se de forma convincente às Seicheles, por 3-0.
O jovem Rashid Naobeb inaugurou o marcador aos 18 minutos, antes de os seus companheiros de selecção Mateus Ashitenda (61′) e Micheal Kandume (76′) selarem definitivamente o terceiro triunfo consecutivo da equipa. Com um percurso imaculado, a Namíbia terminou isolada no primeiro lugar do grupo, com nove pontos.
No outro encontro, Moçambique goleou as Maurícias por 5-0, alcançando, simultaneamente, a maior vitória do torneio até ao momento.
O avançado Alírio Cuna foi a figura de destaque da partida, ao apontar um expressivo hat-trick (12′, 19′ e 77′), resultado que lhe permite assumir, isoladamente, a liderança da lista dos melhores marcadores da prova, com cinco golos no total. Machel (25′) e Rizan (90+6′) completaram o festival ofensivo dos moçambicanos, que também garantiram a sua preciosa qualificação para a fase seguinte.
Esta quarta-feira, a competição regional promete particular emoção, com os últimos jogos dos Grupos B e C.
No Grupo B, às 12h00, a África do Sul, líder sólida com duas vitórias consecutivas, precisa apenas de um empate diante do Eswatini para assegurar definitivamente o seu lugar no último quadrado. À mesma hora, Angola jogará o seu futuro diante do Lesoto e terá obrigatoriamente de vencer, procurando ainda melhorar a diferença de golos para manter vivas as esperanças de prosseguir na competição.
No Grupo C, às 15h00, a Zâmbia apresenta-se já oficialmente qualificada para as meias-finais, graças às duas vitórias obtidas nos jogos iniciais, e defrontará o Botswana com o objectivo de confirmar o primeiro lugar do grupo.
A verdadeira luta estará centrada no Malawi, que defrontará as Comores e tudo fará para conquistar o lugar de melhor segundo classificado da competição.
Com 44 golos já marcados em 14 jogos desde o início da prova, o espectáculo está garantido e esta última jornada do futebol jovem promete muita intensidade entre as diferentes selecções africanas em competição
Todos os jogos podem ser vistos gratuitamente no FIFA+, no canal de YouTube da COSAFA e na CAF TV, com transmissão também na TVM.
