Abram Tjahikika struck a hat-trick for Namibia to take him to the top of the scorers charts at the 2016 COSAFA Under-17 Championships and earn his country a place in Friday’s semifinals.
Namibia defeated Seychelles 4-1 on Wednesday to secure second spot in Group A behind leaders South Africa, who defeated Mauritius 2-0 to keep up their 100 percent record at the tournament.
It means the semifinals line-up is complete with the South Africans to play Group B runners-up Malawi (kick-off 13h00 local; 09h00 GMT) and Namibia to tackle Zambia (kick-off 13h00 local; 09h00 GMT).
Both matches will be played at the Stade St Francois Xavier in Port Louis.
Tjahikika’s hat-trick takes him to four goals in the tournament, one ahead of Peter Banda from Malawi and Nicholas Mulilo of Zambia.
Eldery Morgan got the other goal for Namibia in a dominant performance, with the Seychelles scoring a consolation, and a first goal of the competition, through Mathiot Juninho.
South Africa finished their game with 10 men after a red card for Mswati Mavuso, who had earlier put them ahead in the match a minute before halftime.
But they continued to battle away and grabbed a second goal when S’miso Bophela was fouled in the box and Tyreese Pillay converted from the spot.
Like Zambia, South Africa have yet to concede a goal in the competition and those two will be favourites for Sunday’s final.
But Malawi and Namibia have both shown they can be a match for anybody and be eager to cause an upset on Friday.
WEDNESDAY’S GROUP A RESULTS
Seychelles 1 (Juninho 57’) Namibia 4 (Tjahikika 30’, 47’, 76’, Morgan 90’)
South Africa 2 (Mavuso 44’, Pillay 74’) Mauritius 0
FRIDAY’S SEMIFINAL FIXTURES
South Africa vs Malawi (KO 13h00 local; 09h00 GMT)
Zambia vs Namibia (KO 16h00 local; 12h00 GMT)
STANDINGS
Group A P W D L GF GA Pts
South Africa 3 3 0 0 7 0 9
Namibia 3 2 0 1 7 6 6
Mauritius 3 1 0 2 2 5 3
Seychelles 3 0 0 3 1 6 0
Group B P W D L GF GA Pts
Zambia 3 3 0 0 10 0 9
Malawi 3 2 0 1 7 4 6
Kenya 3 1 0 2 2 10 3
Madagascar 3 0 0 3 2 7 0
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 12
Goals scored: 38
Biggest victory: Malawi 5 Kenya 0 (Group B, July 26)
Most goals in a game: 5 – Malawi 5 Kenya 0 (Group B, July 26); Seychelles 1 Namibia 4 (Group A, July 27)
GOALSCORERS
4 goals – Abram Tjahikika (Namibia)
3 – Peter Banda (Malawi), Nicholas Mulilo (Zambia)
2 – Franck Chizuze (Malawi), Damiano Kola (Zambia), Eldery Morgan (Namibia), Fabrizio Mosa (Madagascar), Kenneth Mukuria (Kenya), Siphamandla Ntuli (South Africa), George Nyimbili (Zambia)
1 – Raphael Banda (Malawi), Neehal Hurdoyal (Mauritius), Mathiot Juninho (Seychelles), Rivaldo Laksman (Namibia), Luke le Roux (South Africa), Francisco Madinga (Malawi), Mswati Mavuso (South Africa), Linamandla Mchilizeli (South Africa), Matteo Monple (Mauritius), James Monyane (South Africa), Kunda Nkandu (Zambia), Benjamin Phiri (Zambia), Tyreese Pillay (South Africa), Mwiza Siwale (Zambia)
