The technically-proficient Zimbabwe thrashed Eswatini 5-1 in a Group B game they dominated in all thirds of the field at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus Stadium, while Zambia began their title-defence with a 8-0 victory over Namibia in a high-intensity match played at the same venue on Thursday.
There was also a 4-0 victory for South Africa over Botswana in Group C, while Mauritius and Comoros copuld not be separated at 0-0 on day two of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier.
Zimbabwe started on the front foot giving Eswatini all sorts of problems. With his trickery, Tadiwa Chakuchichi cut inside from the right, took on a few defenders before beating the Eswatini goalkeeper, Luyanda Ndlovu, at the near post to give Zimbabwe a well-deserved lead in the 21st minute.
Four minutes later, striker El Shaddai Sadomba doubled Zimbabwe’s lead after playing the ball over onrushing Eswatini goalkeeper. Chakuchichi was at it again when he cut inside before playing a pass to Sadomba who did not disappoint and tapped the ball into the net in the 34th minute to score his second of the day.
In the 41st minute, Sadomba completed his hat-trick after taking advantage of a poor clearance by Eswatini.
In response to Zimbabwe’s dominance in the first half, Eswatini defenders launched quick counter-attacks by playing long passes into the final third in those rare moments they managed to regain possession. However, all their efforts in counter-attacking were in vain as Zimbabwedefenders reacted speedily to intercept those passes.
Zimbabwe were still the better team in the second half although Eswatini were energetic and eager to score despite conceding four goals in the first half.
In the 86th minute, attacking midfielder Valentine Macheka netted the last goal for Zimbabwe after placing a beautiful shot at the far corner. Substitute Menzi Dlamini scored a consolation goal for Eswatini in the 90th minute.
In the second match of the day in Group B, Mapalo Simute of Zambia scored his first goal in the first minute. On four minutes, Simute netted his second goal from a rebound to send the Zambia spectators at the stadium into a frenzy. Zambia were quick both on and off the ball and Namibia struggled to contain them although they launched a few counter-attacks after winning the ball deep in their half.
Zambia dictated matters in midfield where Vincent Mutondo was operating. Also, Felix Phiri and Simute troubled Namibia’s full-backs with their speed and movements on and off the ball. In the 43rd minute, Abel Nyiringo scored a header from a Jonathan-Kalamina’s long diagonal pass. In the 46th minute, Vincent Mutondo scored a fourth goal for Zambia.
Three minutes later, Jonathan Kalimina added his name on the scoresheet to net a fifth goal for Zambia. Gabriel Phiri scored another goal for Zambia in the 82nd minute and added the other in 87th minute. Phiri completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute.
South Africa were handsome winners in Group C as they overwhelmed Botswana, with new sensation Emile Witbooi, recently returned from trials at Cheslea, among the scorers.
Selwyn Stevens, Neo Bohloko and Kamohelo Maraletse were also on target in a dominant display from the home side that showed all their potential in the competition.
Comoros and Mauritius could not be separated though as they played to a goalless draw.
All games at the competition will be streamed live on FIFA+, and you can follow the action from this dedicated tournament page.
Meanwhile, Defending champions South Africa opened their 2024 COSAFA Under-17 Girls Championship with a 4-2 win over Malawi at UJ Auckland Park Stadium.
Leonay Kock was the star of the show for the host nation scoring a hat-trick on her way to getting the Player of the Match award.
She opened her account after 20 minutes and netted the third and fourth goals for Bantswana, while captain Katleho Malebana converted a first half penalty for the side.
Meanwhile Malawi’s consolation goals came off the boots of substitute Asimenye Mwanyongo and Fatima Lali in the second half.
The result sees South Africa second in Group B with three points behind leaders Madagascar, who thrashed Namibia 5-0 in the second game in the group played the UJ Stadium in Soweto.
The Islanders scored four goals in the opening half through Oliva, Vola, Louisa and Angele. They added a fifth in the second half through Jiscaniah, who scored just after the hour mark.
Madagascar lead the group with healthier goal difference and a clean sheet, while Malawi are third followed by Namibia at the bottom with no points.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe defeated Mauritius 2-1 in a Group C opener also played in Soweto. First half goals from Anna Njere and Chedza Khumalo were enough to give Lindiwe Ndlovu’s charges maximum points and pole position in the group. Mauritius wasted chances in front of goal to get back into the game with Marie Clair scoring their only goal also in the first half.
Day Three will open with a Group C match between Zambia and Botswana at 11h00 followed by the second Group B match between Comoros and Lesotho at 14h00 both matches to be played in Soweto.
TOTALENERGIES U-17 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2025 | COSAFA QUALIFIER STATISTICS
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Group B – UJ Soweto Stadium
Zimbabwe 5 (Chakuchichi 22′, Sadomba 25′ 35′, 42′, Macheka 87′) Eswatini 1 (M. Dlamini 90′)
Zambia 8 (Mapalo Simute 1’, 4’, Nyirongo 43’, Mutondo 46’, Kalimina 49’, G. Phiri 82’, 87’, 90’) Namibia 0
Group C – UJ AW Muller Stadium
Comoros 0 Mauritius 0
South Africa 4 (Stevens 6’pen, Witbooi 12’, Maraletse 49’, Bohloko 66’) Botswana 0
FRIDAY’S FIXTURES
Group A – UJ AW Muller Stadium
Malawi vs Angola (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Mozambique vs Lesotho (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Angola | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Malawi | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Mozambique | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Lesotho | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | -8 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Comoros | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mauritius | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Botswana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 6
Goals scored: 23
Biggest victory: Zambia 8 Namibia 0 (Group B, December 5)
Most goals in a game: 8 – Zambia 8 Namibia 0 (Group B, December 5)
GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Gabriel Phiri (Zambia), El Shaddai Sadomba (Zimbabwe)
2 – Mapalo Simute (Zambia)
1 – Neo Bohloko (South Africa), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Clifford Chisale (Malawi), Menzi Dlamini (Eswatini), Eliseu Francisco (Angola), Jonathan Kalimina (Zambia), Killo Lino (Mozambique), Densel Liyun (Angola), Valentine Macheka (Zimbabwe), Kamohelo Maraletse (South Africa), Rethabile Nqoko (Lesotho), Abel Nyirongo (Zambia), Selwyn Stevens (South Africa), Emile Witbooi (South Africa)
Own goal – Milko Solunga (Namibia)
2024 GIRLS UNDER-17 COSAFA CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Group B – UJ AW Muller Stadium
South Africa 4 (Kock 23’, 72’, 88’, Malebana 35’pen) Malawi 2 (Mwanyongo 48’, Lali 88’)
Group B – UJ B Soweto Stadium
Namibia 0 Madagascar 5 (Oliva 11′, Vola 27’pen, Louisa 35′, Angele 37′, Jiscaniah 66′)
Group C – UJ B Soweto Stadium
Zimbabwe 2 (Njere 8′, Khumalo 12′) Mauritius 1 (Clair 32′)
FRIDAY’S FIXTURES
Group C – UJ Soweto Stadium
Zambia vs Botswana (KO 11h00; 09h00 GMT)
Group A – UJ Soweto Stadium
Comoros vs Lesotho (KO 14h00; 12h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Lesotho | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| Mozambique | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| Comoros | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
| Eswatini | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Madagascar | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Malawi | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Botswana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zambia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mauritius | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 5
Goals scored: 25
Biggest victory: Eswatini 0 Lestoho 6 (Group A, December 4)
Most goals in a game: 6 – Eswatini 0 Lesotho 6 (Group A, December 4)
GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Leonay Kock (South Africa), Ntsamaeng Tholo (Lesotho)
2 – Teresa Gogolo (Mozambique)
1 – Angele (Madagascar), Ana Armando (Mozambique), Marie Clair (Mauritius), Judite Cumbi (Mozambique), Jiscaniah (Madagascar), Chedza Khumalo (Zimbabwe), Fatima Lali (Malawi), Tebello Lesala (Lesotho), Louisa (Madagascar), Katlego Malebana (South Africa), Boiketlo Molise (Lesotho), Asimenye Mwanyongo (Malawi), Anna Njere (Zimbabwe), Oliva (Madagascar), Itumeleng Phiri (Lesotho), Victoria Tennyson (Mozambique), Vola (Madagascar)
Carton de l’Afrique du Sud et du Zimbabwe
La lutte pour la qualification à la phase finale du Championnat Africain des Nations (CAN), qui se déroulera l’année prochaine en Côte d’Ivoire, devient intense et acharnée ! Aujourd’hui, l’équipe des moins de 17 ans de Zambie a réalisé la plus large victoire du jour en infligeant un impressionnant 8-0 à l’équipe de Namibie, lors d’un match comptant pour la première journée du Groupe B de la Coupe COSAFA, qui qualifie pour le “Africain” de cette catégorie.
La Zambie, vice-championne, a clairement dominé la rencontre, menant à la mi-temps avec un avantage de trois buts. Au retour des vestiaires, l’équipe dirigée par Bakala Ian, entraîneur de la Zambie, a continué à presser son adversaire, provoquant des erreurs. Sous cette pression, le gardien Milko Solunga a commis l’erreur de marquer dans son propre but, portant le score à 4-0. Désorienté et psychologiquement affecté, le gardien namibien a de nouveau échoué, permettant à Jonathan Kalima d’aggraver le score à 5-0 en faveur de la Zambie. Pour clore le spectacle, Gabriel Phiri, qui est entré comme remplaçant, a inscrit trois buts qui ont scellé le résultat.
Le Zimbabwe s’est également distingué en remportant une victoire convaincante contre son homologue d’Eswatini sur le score de 5-1. Les trois points ont été assurés grâce à un “hat-trick” de l’attaquant El Shaddai Sadomba (25′, 35′, 41′), meilleur buteur des Golden Eagles du Zimbabwe, qui a été déterminant dans cette victoire, ainsi qu’aux buts de Tadiwa Chakuchichi (22′), qui a ouvert le score, et de Valentine Macheka, auteur du cinquième but à la 87e minute.
L’Afrique du Sud, pays hôte et championne en titre, n’est pas restée en arrière, battant le Botswana 4-0, avec des buts de Selwyn Stevens (7′), Emile Witbooi (12′), Kamohelo Maraletse à la 48e minute et Bohloko à la 66e minute. Ce match faisait partie de la première journée du Groupe C. Le match entre les Comores et les Îles Maurice s’est terminé sans but.
Ce vendredi, on entame déjà la troisième journée de cette compétition haletante. Au tableau masculin d’abord, le Malawi affronte l’Angola à 12h. A 15h, ce sera au tour du Mozambique de croiser le fer avec le Lesotho. Ces deux joutes s’inscrivent dans la deuxième journée du groupe A. Les Angolais ont un gros coup à jouer. Ils sont les seuls à être sortis vainqueurs de la journée inaugurale et peuvent accroitre leur avance au tableau en cas de succès et même franchir ce premier tour. Le Malawi peut aussi prétendre à la première place en cas de succès Les jeunes Flames ont partagé les points lors de leur sortie inaugurale.
Le Lesotho a souffert pour ses débuts et se retrouve au dernier rang. Mais tout n’est pas perdu pour les Lesothans. Ils doivent toutefois réaliser le sans faute pour espérer conserver leurs espoirs de survie dans ce groupe. En face, le Mozambique doit impérativement l’emporter après avoir été tenu en échec mercredi.
Chez les filles, deux rencontres également à disputer. La Zambie effectuera ses débuts contre le Botswana. Un match qui s’annonce équilibré sur le papier et qui promet d’offrir pas mal de spectacle. Ensuite, les Comores tenteront de décrocher un premier succès contre le Lesotho. Mais la tâche s’annonce difficile d’autant que les Lesothanes ont largement remporté leur premier match 6-0 et peuvent passer au prochain tour en cas de victoire.
Zâmbia, Zimbabwe e África do Sul faturam em dia de fartura!
A luta pela qualificação para a fase final do Campeonato Africano das Nações (CAN), que se realizará no próximo ano na Costa do Marfim, está a tornar-se intensa e renhida! Hoje, a seleção sub-17 da Zâmbia protagonizou a goleada mais expressiva do dia, ao impor um impressionante 8-0 à equipa da Namíbia, num jogo pontuável para a primeira jornada do Grupo B da Taça COSAFA, que apura para o “Africano” da categoria.
A Zâmbia, vice-campeã, dominou claramente a partida, saindo para o intervalo com uma vantagem de três golos. No reinício, a equipa orientada por Bakala Ian, treinador da Zâmbia, voltou à carga, pressionando o seu adversário a cometer erros. E, fruto dessa pressão, o guarda-redes Milko Solunga cometeu o erro de marcar na própria baliza, aumentando a vantagem para 4-0. Desorientado e psicologicamente abalado, o guarda-redes namibiano voltou a falhar, permitindo a Jonathan Kalima ampliar para 5-0 a favor da Zâmbia. Para fechar com chave de ouro, Gabriel Phiri, que entrou como suplente, marcou três golos que selaram o resultado.
O Zimbabwe também se destacou, ao vencer de forma convincente a sua congénere do Eswatini por 5-1. Os três pontos foram assegurados com um “hat-trick” do avançado El Shaddai Sadomba (25´, 35´, 41´), principal goleador do Golden Eagles do Zimbabwe, que foi determinante nesta vitória, juntamente com os golos de Tadiwa Chakuchichi (22´), que abriu o marcador, e de Valentine Macheka, autor do quinto golo aos 87 minutos.
A África do Sul, anfitriã e campeã em título, também não ficou atrás, vencendo o Botswana por 4-0, com golos de Selwyn Stevens (7´), Emile Witbooi (12´), Kamohelo Maraletse aos 48 minutos e Bohloko aos 66 minutos. Este jogo fez parte da primeira jornada do Grupo C.
O jogo entre Comores e Maurícias, duas nações insulares, terminou sem golos.
Com estes resultados, Zâmbia e Zimbabwe lideram o Grupo B com os mesmos pontos, ocupando o primeiro e segundo lugares, respetivamente, enquanto Namíbia e Eswatini ainda não pontuaram. No Grupo C, a África do Sul lidera de forma destacada com 3 pontos, seguida por Maurícias e Comores, ambos com 1 ponto, e o Botswana sem pontuar.
Na próxima jornada, o Zimbabwe terá um confronto com a Zâmbia, seu rival, na sexta-feira, no Campus da Universidade de Joanesburgo, num jogo que promete pela forte rivalidade entre as equipas. Antes deste jogo, no mesmo local, a Namíbia e Eswatini enfrentar-se-ão.
Na competição feminina, destaque para Madagáscar, que estreou-se no Grupo B com uma vitória por 5-0 sobre a Namíbia, enquanto o Zimbabwe, no Grupo C, venceu as Maurícias por 2-1.
Os jogos prosseguem amanhã, com Moçambique a defrontar Eswatini às 9h00 no UJ Mulla Stadium, e Comores a jogar contra Lesoto, na segunda jornada do Grupo A.
