EN, FR, PR: Goals galore on day two at the Region 5 Games in Windhoek
It was a superb day of Under-20 football at the Region 5 Games in Windhoek, Namibia on Saturday with 18 goals scored across four games in the men’s and women’s competitions.
The entertainment for fans who came out in numbers to support the matches was superb, and bodes well for the remainder of the two competitions.
South Africa and Zambia played to a thrilling seesaw 3-3 draw in their Group B opener in the men’s competition at the UNAM Stadium, as the lead swung one way and then the other before the teams had to settle for a draw.
Both have arrived at the competition with what are essentially Under-17 squads as they blood the next generation and put on a superb display of football.
Neo Bohloko and Emile Witbooi scored early goals for South Africa either side of a strike by Gabriel Phiri for Zambia.
But the Young Chipolopolo led at halftime as goals from Mapalo Simute and Bongani Ndhlovu out them 3-2 up.
That was the way it stayed until 10 minutes from the end when Njabulo Mzimela headed in at the back post for South Africa to make the score 3-3.
Botswana took the lead in their clash with Eswatini as they claimed a comprehensive 3-1 win when Tumiso Tshotlego converted a penalty on 15 minutes after a foul in the box.
Molwantwa Ngube made it 2-0 on 65 minutes when he was picked out in acres of space and had the simple job of finishing beyond the goalkeeper.
Eswatini pulled a goal back as Phiwayinkhosi Dube headed a free-kick into the back of the net to set up a tense finished, but Botswana restored their two-goal lead as Irvin Evans lifted the ball into the back of the net from eight yards.
We return to Group A action on Sunday when Angola take on Malawi at the Hage Geingob Stadium (kick-off 12h00 CAT / 10h00 GMT).
Malawi defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in their opener, while Angola edged Namibia 1-0, so this is an excellent chance to all but seal a semi-final place for one of these sides.
That means hosts Namibia and Zimbabwe will be desperate for success when they clash at the same venue at 15h00 CAT / 13h00 GMT, looking for their first points of the campaign.
Zambia claimed a 3-0 win over South Africa in their Group B opener in the women’s competition, highlighting their status as tournament favourites.
Goals from Bwalya Chipeshe, Lweendo Hanongo and Lombanya Mwewa sealed the victory for the defender Under-20 COSAFA champions as they set themselves on course for the semifinals again.
In the other fixture in Group B on Saturday, Angola outlasted Eswatini 4-2.
Eswatini took the lead thanks to a brilliant free-kick from Sethabile Dlamini, who rifled her shot into the top corner from 25 yards just before halftime.
But Angola came out firing after the break and turned the tables, taking a 3-1 lead.
Sandra Correia levelled from the penalty-spot, before Maria Viera netted from 10-yards two minutes later. The latter added a third with a superb run and shot from a short corner, blasting the ball into the back of the net.
No sooner had Angola got that two-goal advantage than Eswatini won a penalty and pulled a goal back through Nozenzo Gama.
But Angola would not be denied and they made sure of the points when Glória Araújo curled a free-kick on the edge of the box into the top corner with eight minutes left on the clock.
We return to Group A action on Sunday when Malawi take on Botswana at the UNAM Stadium (kick-off 12h00 CAT / 10h00 GMT).
Botswana edged Zimbabwe 1-0 in their opener while Malawi drew their first game 0-0 with Namibia.
Botswana can therefore seal their place in the next round with a win, as Namibia and Zimbabwe look to keep themselves in contention at 15h00 CAT / 13h00 GMT.
Sunday will also see a special 7-a-side match labelled the Special Olympics Unified Sports Experience at Hage Geingob Stadium. The fixture will kick-off at 17h20 CAT.
The Special Olympics Unified Sports Experience is an innovative model of inclusion that brings together dignitaries and Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities to play together, showing the way to end discrimination on and off the field.
The match will see dignitaries from governments across Southern Africa face Special Olympics athletes in a show of unity.
All Region 5 Games fixtures will be streamed LIVE on COSAFA’s YouTube channel. Matches will also be streamed LIVE around the world on FIFA+, except in the countries of the competing teams.
As per the rights agreement with Region 5 Games organisers, matches will be available to view in full on FIFA+ in those countries 30 minutes after the final whistle.
BOYS COMPETITION
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Group B
Eswatini 1 (Dube 80’) Botswana 3 (Tshotlego 15’pen, Ngube 65’, Evans 89’)
South Africa 3 (Bohloko 6′, Witbooi 17′, Mzimela 80’) Zambia 3 (G. Phiri 7′, Simute 31′, Ndhlovu 43′)
SUNDAY’S FIXTURES
Group A – Hage Geingob Stadium
Angola vs Malawi (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Namibia vs Zimbabwe (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Malawi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Angola | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Botswana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Zambia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Eswatini | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 4
Goals scored: 14
Biggest victory: Eswatini 1 Botswana 3 (Group B, July 5)
Most goals in a game: 6 – South Africa 3 Zambia 3 (Group B, July 5)
GOALSCORERS
1 goal – Neo Bohloko (South Africa), Danilson Cundula (Angola), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Phiwayinkhosi Dube (Eswatini), Irvin Evans (Botswana), Mwisho Mhango (Malawi), Njabulo Mzimela (South Africa), Bongani Ndhlovu (Zambia), Molwantwa Ngube (Botswana), Gabriel Phiri (Zambia), Mapalo Simute (Zambia), Tumiso Tshotlego (Botswana), Emile Witbooi (South Africa)
Own goal – Garie Chibika (Zimbabwe)
GIRLS COMPETITION
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Group B
Eswatini 2 (S. Dlamini 41’, Gama 66’pen) Angola 4 (Correia 51’pen, Viera 53’, 65’, Araújo 82’)
Zambia 3 (Chipeshe 22’, Hanongo 33’, Mwewa 90’) South Africa 0
SUNDAY’S FIXTURES
Group A – UNAM Stadium
Malawi vs Botswana (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Namibia vs Zimbabwe (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Botswana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Malawi | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Angola | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 4
Goals scored: 12
Biggest victory: Zambia 3 South Africa 0 (Group B, July 5)
Most goals in a game: 6 – Eswatini 2 Angola 4 (Group B, July 5)
GOALSCORERS
2 goals – Maria Viera (Angola)
1 – Glória Araújo (Angola), Plaxina Blandason (Zimbabwe), Bwalya Chipeshe (Zambia), Sandra Correia (Angola), Sethabile Dlamini (Eswatini), Nozenzo Gama (Eswatini), Lweendo Hanongo (Zambia), Hope Lesotlo (Botswana), Lombanya Mwewa (Zambia), Amogolang Sebotho (Botswana)
Le Botswana et la Zambie se signalent
Les Championnats U20 de la COSAFA, tant masculins que féminins, ont débuté ce samedi 5 juillet avec des matchs palpitants du Groupe B, qui se sont déroulés à Windhoek, en Namibie, dans le cadre des Jeux de la Région 5.
Dans le secteur masculin, le Botswana a commencé de manière impressionnante en battantl’Eswatini 3-1, avec des buts de Tumiso Tshotlego (15’), Ngube (65’) et Evans (87’), tandisque Dube (80’) a inscrit l’unique but de l’Eswatini. Tumiso Tshotlego a été élu meilleurjoueur du match. Dans l’autre rencontre du groupe, l’Afrique du Sud et la Zambie (tenante du titre) ont offert un match palpitant, se soldant par un match nul 3-3 : Bohloko (6’), Witbooi(16’) et Mzimela (79’) ont marqué pour les Sud-Africains, tandis que Phiri (7’), Simute (32’) et Ndhlovu (44’) ont inscrit les buts de la Zambie. Amohelo Mareletse (Afrique du Sud) a étédésigné meilleur joueur.
Chez les féminines, l’Angola a battu l’Eswatini 3-2, avec Maria Vieira qui a brillé eninscrivant deux buts (52’, 63’) et en recevant le prix de meilleure joueuse. Sandra a également marqué sur penalty (51’) pour l’Angola, tandis que Sethabile (41’) et Gama (66’, sur penalty) ont marqué pour l’Eswatini. La tenante du titre, la Zambie, a confirmé son statutde favorite en battant l’Afrique du Sud 2-0, avec des buts de Chipeshe (22’) et Hanongo(33’). Bwalya Chileshe (Zambie) a été élue meilleure joueuse.
Avec ces résultats, dans la catégorie masculine, le Botswana occupe la première place du Groupe B avec trois points, suivi par l’Afrique du Sud et la Zambie, tous deux avec un point, tandis que l’Eswatini n’a pas encore marqué. L’équilibre entre Sud-Africains et Zambiens, deux des équipes les plus titrées de la région, laisse le groupe ouvert, mais le Botswana semble avoir un avantage pour les prochaines rondes. Chez les féminines, la Zambie et l’Angola sont en tête du Groupe B avec trois points chacun, tandis que l’Eswatini et l’Afriquedu Sud sont sans points, déjà sous pression pour la deuxième journée. La victoire des Angolaises et des Zambiennes montre un début fort, dans un groupe où seuls les deuxpremiers accéderont aux demi-finales, selon le règlement de la compétition.
Demain, dimanche, les équipes du Groupe A des deux catégories entreront en scène. Dans le secteur masculin, l’Angola affronte le Malawi (12h00) et le pays hôte, la Namibie, se mesureau Zimbabwe (15h00), tous deux au Stade Hage Geingob. Dans le secteur féminin, les matchs se dérouleront au Stade UNAM, avec le Malawi face au Botswana (12h00) et la Namibie jouant contre le Zimbabwe (15h00). Avec seulement deux places disponibles endemi-finale par groupe, chaque point sera déterminant pour les aspirations des sélections.
Le retour du tournoi féminin au calendrier, après une interruption entre 2019 et 2023, marque un nouveau chapitre compétitif, dans une compétition où la Zambie cherche à défendre le titre remporté l’année dernière. Dans la catégorie masculine, la Zambie mène avec 12 titres, suivie par l’Afrique du Sud (9) et le Zimbabwe (6), promettant une nouvelle édition riche encompétitivité et en émotions dans la capitale namibienne.
Golos e emoção na segunda ronda do COSAFA sub-20
Os Campeonatos Sub-20 da COSAFA, nas vertentes masculina e feminina, começaram este sábado (5 de Julho) com jogos vibrantes do Grupo B, realizados em Windhoek, Namíbia, no âmbito dos Jogos da Região 5.
No sector masculino, o Botswana entrou da melhor forma ao vencer o Eswatini por 3-1, com golos de Tumiso Tshotlego (15’), Ngube (65’) e Evans (87’), enquanto Dube (80’) marcou o tento de honra do Eswatini. Tumiso Tshotlego foi eleito o melhor jogador em campo. No outro jogo do grupo, África do Sul e Zâmbia (campeã em título) protagonizaram um empate emocionante a três golos: Bohloko (6’), Witbooi (16’) e Mzimela (79’) marcaram para os sul-africanos, enquanto Phiri (7’), Simute (32’) e Ndhlovu (44’) fizeram os golos da Zâmbia. Amohelo Mareletse (África do Sul) foi distinguido como melhor em campo.
No feminino, Angola bateu Eswatini por 3-2, com Maria Vieira a brilhar ao apontar dois golos (52’, 63’) e a receber o prémio de melhor jogadora em campo. Sandra marcou ainda de penalti (51’) para Angola, enquanto Sethabile (41’) e Gama (66’, de penalti) marcaram para Eswatini. A campeã em título, Zâmbia, confirmou o seu favoritismo ao derrotar a África do Sul por 2-0, com golos de Chipeshe (22’) e Hanongo (33’). Bwalya Chileshe (Zâmbia) foi eleita a melhor em campo.
Com estes resultados, no masculino, Botswana lidera o Grupo B com três pontos, seguido por África do Sul e Zâmbia, ambos com um ponto, enquanto Eswatini ainda não pontuou. O equilíbrio entre sul-africanos e zambianos, duas das selecções mais tituladas da região, deixa o grupo em aberto, mas o Botswana parte em vantagem para as próximas rondas. No feminino, Zâmbia e Angola ocupam os primeiros lugares do Grupo B com três pontos cada, enquanto Eswatini e África do Sul seguem sem pontos, estando já sob pressão para a segunda jornada. A vitória das angolanas e das zambianas mostra uma entrada forte, num grupo onde só os dois primeiros seguem para as meias-finais, de acordo com o regulamento da competição.
Amanhã, domingo, entram em campo as equipas do Grupo A de ambos os escalões. No masculino, Angola defronta o Malawi (12h00) e a anfitriã Namíbia mede forças com o Zimbabwe (15h00), ambos no Estádio Hage Geingob. No feminino, os jogos terão lugar no UNAM Stadium, com Malawi a enfrentar Botswana (12h00) e Namíbia a jogar com Zimbabwe (15h00). Com apenas dois lugares disponíveis nas meias-finais por grupo, cada ponto será determinante para as aspirações das selecções.
O regresso do torneio feminino ao calendário, após o interregno entre 2019 e 2023, marca um novo capítulo competitivo, numa prova onde a Zâmbia procura revalidar o título conquistado no ano passado. No masculino, a Zâmbia lidera em títulos (12), seguida pela África do Sul (9) e Zimbabwe (6), prometendo mais uma edição de grande competitividade e emoções na capital namibiana.
