COSAFA Cup reaches crescendo with semi-final clashes

Angola players celebrate reaching semis: Photo Credit: COSAFA media.

The 2025 COSAFA Cup reaches its crescendo on Friday, June 13, 2025, with holders Angola facing tricky Madagascar, before paving the way for a meeting between Comoros and Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein.

The first semi-final between the defending champions and the islanders at 3pm Central Africa Time should be interesting for neutrals.

The Palancas Negras emerged from Group B largely unscathed, with a 1-1 draw against Namibia being the only scare they survived on their way to the semifinal after thumping Lesotho 4-0 and edging Malawi 1-0.

With experienced players such as Orlando Pirates winger Gilberto in their ranks, Pedro Goncalves fancied a place in the final and with it, the prospect of defending the cup.

In Madagascar, the Angolans can brace for fast and tricky customers who remain a closed book; a factor that always poses a challenge to most opponents.

The islanders fired the warning shots, which few took heed of, when they edged Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 1-0 before drawing a one-all with Eswatini to book the semifinals ticket as Group C leaders.

The second semifinal will see Bafana Bafana carrying the weight of expectations when lining up against Comoros. The start for Vela Khumalo’s side was not encouraging as they went down 1-0 to Mozambique in a Group A opener.

However, a 2-0 win over Zimbabwe and 0-0 outcome from a meeting with Mauritius changed the complexion of Bafana Bafana’s campaign. The Kaizer Chiefs development team coach admitted that their losing start in the group had piled the pressure on them as they are hosting the tournament in Bloemfontein.

“For anyone, the moment you join football, it is pressure on its own, so piled up with that we are hosts, we didn’t start well, and we are missing chances that give you pressure…pressure is always there when you play football,” Khumalo said.

It would be interesting to see if South Africa can reach the final and eventually take their COSAFA Cup tally to six or whether Angola have the capacity to make it five overall.

Comoros and Madagascar have never won the title for the 14-member competition, and if their semi-final pedigree is anything to go by, you cannot rule them out.

FRIDAY’S FIXTURES

Semi-finals – Toyota Stadium

Angola vs Madagascar (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)

South Africa vs Comoros (KO 18h00; 16h00 GMT)