The fourth day of the TotalEnergies U20 AFCON Egypt 2023 COSAFA Qualifiers took an interesting turn as the tournament draws near the exciting stages with Day 4 providing some interesting results to make the final round even more interesting.
Comoros went top of group C after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Malawi at the Mavuso Stadium with goals from Yakine Said and Samuel Betombo giving the islanders the victory while South Africa came back from behind to salvage a much-needed 5-2 win at the same venue.
The Somhlolo Stadium also played host to some interesting fixtures where Lesotho edged Seychelles 1-0 in the 12h00 kick off before reigning champions, Mozambique narrowly overcame Angola with the same scoreline in the 15h30 fixture.
It was a cagey opening to the Comoros and Malawi game, with both teams taking a cautious approach before Malawi got the first opportunity at goal in the 15th minute after a hanging ball found its way to Chrispine Mapemba headed over the bar.
After an evenly balanced encounter, it was Comoros who eventually found the opener in the 35th minute after Yakine Said did well to turn his marker in the box who in turn fouled him for the referee to point to the spot before Said slotted home.
Coming into the second half, Malawi sent numbers forward in search of the equalizer, but the tactically disciplined defense of Comoros stood firm to hold on to the lead throughout the opening half.
It was only at the hour mark that substitute; Emmanuel Saviel fired a long-range effort that almost caught Samir Moussa off guard who did well to make the save.
Robert Saizi did well to keep his side in the game after a series of attacks in the box saw the keeper away from his goal for Glenn Younousse to fire a shot which was cleared off the line by the alert Saizi.
Chifundo Mphasi was unfortunate not to bring his team back into the game when a penalty awarded for a hand ball saw his strike being denied by Moussa who put up a stellar performance in goal for the islanders.
The game was officially put beyond reach after a quick counter by the islanders concluded with a shot by Said being cleared off the line be the defense for the oncoming Samuel Betombo to make it 2-0 to Comoros – a result that sent them top of the group.
South Africa on the other hand were caught cold in the opening minute of their encounter against Namibia after Alberto Van Wyk scored the quickest goal of the tournament in the first minute of the game.
The goal unsettled the South Africans who took long to get into their usual passing game as the Namibians continued to frustrate them.
A goal did come for Amajita in the 17th minute after Brenden Duba did well to connect to a set piece with a header to level matters.
The lead was restored at the half hour mark when a set piece by the Namibians saw Lawrence Doeseb finishing off a rebounded effort into the net to give his side the advantage before the break.
Parity was again restored a minute into the second half when Oshwin Andries found himself in a good scoring position to send a grass cutting effort into the far post to bring Amajita back into the game.
Andries was on the scoresheet again in 54th minute after capitalizing on a mishandled shot by the keeper for the skipper to get his second and give his side the lead.
With momentum on their side, Amajita continued surging forward in search of more goals and were duly rewarded for their efforts with two late goals by Luke Daniels in the 85th minute as well as Relebohile Ratomo in 90th minute to give South Africa a chance at qualification.
Group B action continued at Somhlolo stadium as bottom of the group Lesotho came up against Seychelles. Both teams came into the tie coming off heavy defeats and were in desperate need of a result.
After slow start, both sides found their rhythm in search of a confidence boosting goal to keep their chances of progression alive.
With the game looking at ending as a goalless stalemate, Neo Maieane found the all-important goal in the 85th minute to give Lesotho a vital win – a result that affords Lesotho a glimmer of hope in their last match against reigning champions, Mozambique.
Reigning champions Mozambique faced Angola in the 15h30 fixture with both sides breaming with confidence following their impressive victories in the opening round.
It was a highly tactical affair with both sides having their fair share of scoring opportunities in the opening half.
The reigning champions eventually broke the stubborn Angolan defense in the 65th minute when Chamito Alfandega scored his second of the tournament with a well taken strike to make it 1-0 to the defending champions.
The Young Mambhina’s continued held on to their lead with Angola probing for the equalizer, but a very good performance saw them grind a result and remain top of Group B.
TUESDAY FIXTURES
Zambia vs Botswana
Eswatini vs Mauritius
The penultimate round of Group A takes place tomorrow as group leaders, Zambia take on a dangerous Botswana side. The Young Chipolopolo have one foot in the semi-finals after winning their last two fixtures which puts them at a healthy goal advantage of five goals.
Eswatini face Mauritius in the Somhlolo Stadium in the other group A match where the hosts will be gunning for maximum points to keep their qualification hopes a glimmer of hope.
Kick-off for both matches will be at 15h30.
STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Botswana | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| Mauritius | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Mozambique | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Angola | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Lesotho | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 3 |
| Seychelles | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Comoros | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| South Africa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Malawi | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Namibia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -6 | -4 | 0 |
RESULTS
Group B
Lesotho 1 (Neo Maieane 85’) Seychelles 0
Mozambique 1 (Chamito Alfandega) 0 Angola
Group C
Comoros 2 (Yakine Said 35’, Samuel Betombo 82’) Malawi 0
South Africa 5 (Duba 17, Andries 46’ 54’, Daniels 87’ Ratomo 90’) Namibia 2 (Van Wyk 1’, Doeseb 29’)
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 12
Goals scored: 34
Biggest victory: Angola 5 Lesotho 0, Mozambique 5 Seychelles 0 (08 October 2022)
Most goals in a game: 7 – Namibia 2 – South Africa 5 (Group C) (10 October 2022)
GOALSCORERS
2 Goals – Rickson Ng’ambi (Zambia), Diogenes Inacio (Angola), Djwa Ramos (Mozambique), Denio Munhave (Mozambique), Chamito Alfandega (Mozambique), Oshwin Andries (South Africa)
1 Goal – 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), Botshelo Motsheja (Botswana), Emmanuel Mukosha (Zambia), Lombe Mutale (Zambia), Yakine Said (Comoros), Samuel Betombo (Comoros), Neo Maieane (Lesotho), Relebohile Ratomo (South Africa), Luke Daniels (South Africa), Lawrence Doeseb (Namibia), Alberto Van Wyk (Namibia)
OWN GOAL
1 goal – Nonofo Mosweunyane (Botswana)
Le Mozambique et les Comores se rapprochent des demies
Le spectacle, les buts et le suspens ont de nouveau été assuré par les quatre formations en lice au cours de la quatrième journée de la TotalEnergies AFCON U20 Egypt 2023 | COSAFA Qualifier. Le Mozambique s’est imposé d’une courte tête contre l’Angola alors que les Comores ont donné une leçon de football au Malawi. Le Lesotho s’est bien repris face aux Seychelles tandis que l’Afrique du Sud a su renverser la vapeur contre la Namibie.
C’est la belle surprise du tournoi. Les Comores, que personne n’a vu venir, ont enchainé un deuxième succès dans le groupe C où ils ont battus le Malawi 2-0. Les Comoriens forts de plusieurs éléments évoluant en France ont une nouvelle fois offert un impact physique sur le pré. Ils ont également profité de l’expulsion d’un Malawite pour asseoir définitivement leur domination tout en s’offrant les trois points.
En fait, ce choc a tenu toutes ses promesses. Les deux équipes, vainqueurs au terme de leur première sortie, devaient tout donner pour poursuivre leur parcours tout en espérant se rapprocher des demies. Ce sont les Comoriens qui ont le mieux capté le message. Ils ont ouvert le score à la 35e minute sur un pénalty facilement transformé par Yakine Said. Le Malawi avait l’occasion d’égaliser après l’heure de jeu sur un pénalty. Mais Samir Ali, le portier comorien a détourné le tir. Quelques minutes après, Samuel Betombo scellait le score en profitant d’un mauvais dégagement de la défense du Malawi pour pousser le cuir au fond des filets.
La patience. C’est ce qui a caractérisé le jeu du Lesotho. Ce dernier a attendu la 85e minute pour empocher son premier succès dans le tournoi. C’est Maieane qui a trouvé la faille en fin de jeu. Ce succès permet aux Lesothans de se maintenir en vie avant l’ultime virage face au Mozambique ce mardi.
L’Afrique du Sud a fait preuve d’abnégation contre la Namibie. Alors que la partie était mal engagée suite à un but précoce inscrit par Van Wyk au coup d’envoi, les Amajita ne se sont pas laissé décontenancés. Duba a égalisé avant que la Namibie ne repasse devant par l’entremise de Doeseb. Andries a ensuite inscrit un doublé pour les Sud-Africain avant que Daniels et Ratomo ne frappent dans les ultimes minutes de la rencontre.
Dans le duel lusophone, le dernier mot est revenu au Mozambique. Le tenant du titre a su contenir les assauts de l’Angola. C’est finalement après l’heure de jeu qu’Alfandega est sorti de sa boite pour assurer les trois points aux Mambinhas. C’est son deuxième but dans la compétition.
La Zambie, qui a déjà un pied en demi-finale, se chargera ce mardi de composter son ticket pour le dernier carré. Les Young Chipopolos affrontent le Botswana à 15h30 au Mavuso Stadiukm. Dans le même temps, l’Eswatini croisera le fer avec Maurice. Si ce dernier est déjà éliminé, le pays hôte peut, lui, encore croire en ses chances.
Les Zambiens n’ont toujours pas concédé de buts dans cette compétition. Ils sont à un pas des demies. Cela commence à faire longtemps que les Zambiens n’ont pas remporté la COSAFA U20. Ils pourraient s’approcher de cet objectif ce mardi alors que le Botswana, en embuscade à la deuxième place, peut causer quelques frustrations.
L’Eswatini sera dans l’obligation de se rattraper devant son public. Le pays hôte a été battu hier et se retrouve en fâcheuse posture. Les Eswatiniens seront aux prises avec Maurice à 15h30. Ils ne gardent pas un bon souvenir de cette formation de l’océan Indien. En 2018, ils avaient lourdement chuté 4-0 face aux Mauriciens. Un nouveau revers et l’aventure s’arrêtera pour eux. Maurice pour sa part, est déjà éliminé.
Moçambique bate Angola e está a um passo das “meias”… África do Sul volta a sonhar
O campeão em título, Moçambique venceu hoje, por 1-0, a sua congénere de Angola, em partida a contar para a segunda jornada da 28ª edição da Taça COSAFA em Sub-20 e está a um passo de carimbar o passaporte para as meias-finais, bastando para tal vencer o último jogo da fase de grupos. Na verdade tudo ficará definido na derradeira jornada. Moçambique acabou vingando a derrota sofrida em 2019, após perder por 1-0 com este adversário.
Com este resultado, os moçambicanos comandam na classificação com seis pontos, seguindo na segunda o Lesoto e Comores, ambas com três pontos e na última posição sem nenhum ponto está já afastada selecção das Seychelles.
No Grupo C, as Comores voltaram a dar um passo importante rumo as “meias”, após surpreenderem Malawi com uma derrota, mercê dos golos de Yakine Said (35´) e de Samuel Betombo (82´), este último conseguido na cobrança de uma grande penalidade. Fortes mentalmente, os ilhéus não deixaram-se intimidar com palmarés dos malauianos e conseguiram gerir a margem mínima até o suar do apito final.
De resto, as Comores entraram para esta edição dispostos a limpar a imagem que sempre foi caracterizada por saídas precoces na fase de grupos. Um registo notável que certamente fica marcado na história desta competição. Praticamente, a equipa insular está a um passo da fase seguinte (meias-finais), bastando para tal vencer ou empatar a turma sul-africana África do Sul.
Outro destaque para esta ronda vai para a reviravolta do oito vezes campeão, África do Sul, sobre a Namíbia (5-2), depois de ter estado a perder por 2-1. Os sul-africanos conseguiram amealhar três preciosos pontos que conferem alguma esperança de continuar na luta pelo título.
De acordo com o formato da competição, 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.
É nesta prova onde serão apurados os representantes da zona que irão disputar o Campeonato Africano das Nações (CAN), que terá lugar no Egipto em 2023.
A importância deste campeonato foi reforçada pela Confederação Africana de Futebol (CAF), que tomou a decisão de alterar o anterior figurino de qualificação.
O Torneio Regional da COSAFA deste ano será crucial para garantir o apuramento dos representantes da zona que irão representar o país neste grande evento.
Refira-se que esta é a segunda vez que a competição ao nível dos sub-20 recorre as eliminatórias nestes moldes.
