A thrilling opening day of the 2023 CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifiers in Harare saw youngsters from around the region showcase their quality in a festival atmosphere on Thursday.
There were some big wins but also tight contents as teams found their feet at the Gateway High School, with another 20 pool games to be staged on Friday, ahead of Saturday’s finals in the Boys’ and Girls’ competitions.
Zimbabwe and Malawi head Group A with six points though the hosts have played a game more and it is the learners from the latter who hold the upper hand.
That comes after Malawi thumped Zimbabwe 4-0 in their opener, though the home side, roared on by an enthusiastic local crowd, recovered to record wins over Botswana (4-1) and Eswatini (3-1).
Malawi, with several players who competed last year for Salima Secondary School, were impressive as they also recorded a 3-0 win over Mozambique.
It will be all to play for on day two, with Mozambique also having defeated Eswatini 2-1.
South Africa secured six points from their two games in Group B, though three of those were awarded after Zambia did not appear for their match with the team having not arrived in Harare by kick-off.
In the game they did play, they defeated Angola 7-0 as Rhys Ferguson scored a hattrick in an impressive display from a side dominated by players from the Ubuntu Football Academy School in Cape Town.
Namibia also have six points after they claimed an impressive victories over Madagascar (2-0) and also got a walkover result against Zambia.
Botswana top Group A in the Girls’ competition after a pair of wins on the opening day over Eswatini (5-1) and Zimbabwe (1-0).
Malawi have four points after they beat Zimbabwe 3-0 and drew with Mozambique (0-0) in what is shaping up to be a competitive pool. But the hosts have work to do on the second day to get back in contention for top spot.
South Africa have the lead in Group B so far after a 14-0 victory over Angola to give them the advantage at the top of the pool, having also profited from a walkover result against Zambia.
Namibia are second in the pool with four points having drawn 0-0 with Madagascar and had a walkover win against Zambia.
The matches continue on Friday with 20 more games to complete the pool stages. The top team in each of the groups will advance to Saturday’s final, with the runners-up to square-off in the bronze-medal game.
The Boys’ competition is played on full size pitches with 11-a-side, while the Girls’ tournament is played on half-sized pitches and is 8-a-side. In both competitions it will be 20 minutes per half, with a 10-minute halftime break.
There are several ways you can follow the action from Harare. The tournament is being streamed live on FIFA+ (Boys & Girls), CAF TV and our COSAFA YouTube Channel.
You can also follow the action through our various channels:
- Go to our website cosafa.com
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THURSDAY’S RESULTS
BOYS
Group A
Zimbabwe 0-4 Malawi
Botswana 0-0 Eswatini
Zimbabwe 4-1 Botswana
Mozambique 2-0 Eswatini
Zimbabwe 3-1 Eswatini
Malawi 3-0 Mozambique
Group B
Zambia 0-3 Namibia*
South Africa 7-0 Angola
Madagascar 0-2 Namibia
South Africa 3-0 Zambia*
*Zambia were not present, score awarded 3-0 to their opponents.
GIRLS
Group A
Zimbabwe 0-3 Malawi
Botswana 5-1 Eswatini
Zimbabwe 0-1 Botswana
Mozambique 2-1 Eswatini
Zimbabwe 5 Eswatini 1
Malawi 0 Mozambique 0
Group B
Zambia 0-3 Namibia*
South Africa 14-0 Angola
Madagascar 0-0 Namibia
South Africa 3-0 Zambia*
*Zambia were not present, score awarded 3-0 to their opponents.
FRIDAY’S FIXTURES
To check Friday’s fixtures, click here.
GROUP STANDINGS
BOYS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Malawi | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Mozambique | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| Botswana | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |
| Eswatini | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 6 |
| Namibia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Madagascar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| Zambia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
| Angola | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 0 |
GIRLS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Botswana | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Malawi | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Mozambique | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 12 | -9 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17 | 6 |
| Namibia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Madagascar | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Zambia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
| Angola | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | -14 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
BOYS
Matches Played: 10
Goals scored: 33
Biggest victory: South Africa 7 Angola 0 (Group B, December 14)
Most goals in a game: 7 – South Africa 7 Angola 0 (Group B, December 14)
GIRLS
Matches Played: 10
Goals scored: 39
Biggest victory: South Africa 14 Angola 0 (Group B, December 14)
Most goals in a game: 14 – South Africa 14 Angola 0 (Group B, December 14)
L’Afrique du Sud, le Malawi et le Botswana déjà en tête
Une avalanche de buts, des équipes qui ont idéalement démarré leur campagne et certaine qui ont désormais l’ambition de se rattraper au cours de la deuxième journée qui sera décisive ce vendredi. La journée inaugurale de l’édition 2023 du Championnat africain de football scolaire de la CAF | Qualifications COSAFA a vu tenu toutes ses promesses jeudi avec du talent à en revendre tant chez les filles que chez les garçons.
Les leçons à tirer de la première journée est que le Malawi et l’Afrique du Sud ont pris les meilleurs départs chez les garçons. Les Flames ont pris la tête du groupe A en s’offrant deux victoires. Ils ont d’abord dominé le Malawi 4-0 avant de se promener face au Mozambique 3-0. Pour les jeunes Sud-Africains, cette première levée a été une simple formalité également avec deux succès en autant de sorties. La nation arc-en-ciel a d’abord dominé l’Angola 7-0 puis a profité de l’absence de la Zambie pour s’imposer sur tapis vert (3-0).
Chez les filles, c’est le Botswana qui est en forme dans le groupe A. Les Botswanaises ont idéalement entamé leur tournoi en s’adjugeant deux succès. Le premier était face à l’Eswatini (5-1) et le second contre le pays hôte où les Botswanaises se sont imposées sur la plus petite des marges. Le carton de cette première journée est à mettre au crédit de l’Afrique du Sud. Ce dernier a étrillé l’Angola sur le score de 14 – 0 avant de profiter du forfait de la Zambie pour l’emporter 3-0.
Ce vendredi, les équipes abordent la manche décisive et ceux qui ont pris du retard auront une dernière chance pour tenter de s’inviter dans le dernier carré. Le Malawi peut valider sa qualification en s’imposant devant le Botswana et l’Eswatini. Le Mozambique et le Zimbabwe sont toujours en embuscade et peuvent encore prétendre au dernier ticket pour la demi-finale. Il faudra toutefois aligner le sans-faute. Dans le groupe B, c’est quasiment fait pour l’Afrique du Sud et la Namibie. Ces deux équipes sont seules en tête et s’affronteront à 9h dans le choc de cette poule.
Chez les filles, le Botswana peut terminer le travail face au Malawi d’abord puis contre le Mozambique. Les Botswanaises ont déjà démontré leur force de frappe au cours de la première journée et seront une nouvelle fois redoutable. Dans le groupe B, l’Afrique du Sud semble intouchable. Les Sud-Africaine croiseront le fer avec la Namibie en match d’ouverture puis tenteront de finir le travail contre Madagascar. Les Namibiennes sont en embuscade avec trois unités au compteur alors que les Malgaches – avec un point dans la besace – peuvent encore se mêler à la qualification.
África do Sul e Malawi destacam-se no Campeonato escolar
As selecções masculinas e femininas de sub-15 da África do Sul e do Malawi, destacaram-se ao saírem-se vitoriosas na jornada inaugural do Campeonato Africano de Futebol Escolar da CAF | Eliminatórias COSAFA, Zimbabwe-2023, que arrancou hoje, em Harare, com a realização de vários jogos em simultâneo.
Com efeito, em masculino, os sul-africanos (no grupo B) foram impiedosos e venceram por expressivos 7-0, a sua congénere de Angola, estando evidente o desnível competitivo entre os dois conjuntos. Já no segundo jogo, os petizes da África do Sul conquistaram três pontos, após se beneficiarem da falta de comparência da Zâmbia.
Com este desfecho, África do Sul lidera a pauta classificativa com seis pontos, os mesmos que Namíbia, que estrou-se a vencer Zâmbia (3-0) e Madagáscar (2-0). Na terceira e quinta posições estão Madagáscar, Angola e Zâmbia sem nenhum ponto.
Por sua vez, já em femininos, as sul-africanas trucidaram as angolanas, por esmagadores 14-0 e, na tarde do mesmo dia, as comadadas de Ntonbifuthi Khumalo, técnico da África do Sul conquistaram três pontos atribuídos pela estrutura organizativa da prova, dada a ausência das suas adversárias (Zâmbia).
Entretanto, como já havia sido referenciado no introito, os representantes malauianos golearam a equipa anfitriã por 4-0, numa partida em que Malawi foi dominador e assertivo nos momentos cruciais. O mesmo fulgor ofensivo verificou-se com as raparigas que também bateram as zimbabueanas, desta feita por 3-0.
Por conseguinte, as Selecções masculina e feminina de Moçambique venceram hoje, Eswatini, em ambos sexos, na primeira jornada do Grupo A. Em masculinos Moçambique venceu por 2-0, enquanto que em femininos os moçambicanos suplantaram Eswatini por 2-1.
Noutros jogos da mesma série, a equipa masculina do Zimbabwe venceu por 4-1 o Botswana e em femininos perdeu contra o Botswana por 0-1.
Vale lembrar que esta competição será marcante em relação ao evento inaugural que se disputou no Malawi em Outubro de 2022. Essa competição contou com cinco equipas femininas e foi ganha pela escola sul-africana Edendale Technical. Na competição masculina, havia seis equipas e a Clapham High School da África do Sul também saiu vitoriosa.
