COSAFA Cup: South Africa sneak into semifinals despite disappointing draw

South Africa’s 2025 COSAFA Cup will continue despite Bafana Bafana’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Mauritius to conclude action in Group A. After Mozambique fell to Zimbabwe 1-3 in the other match played simultaneously to leave three teams tied on four points, South Africa advanced due to a superior goal difference in matches played between the three teams (South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius).

It was a dramatic ending to the group with Zimbabwe giving Bafana Bafana the assistance they needed to qualify for the semifinals as Group A winners. South Africa struggled mightily to find the goal they thought they needed in a frustrating 0-0 draw with Group A bottom side Mauritius.

However, Zimbabwe’s 3-1 victory gave South Africa the edge in the goal difference tiebreaker. Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya scored twice in the first half for the Warriors and their margin of victory eliminated Mozambique, whose goal difference fell to -1 while South Africa advanced with a +1 goal difference.

Bafana Bafana will next play the winner of Group D in the semifinals, which will be either Comoros or Botswana. Botswana will need to defeat Zambia on Wednesday in order to advance as group winners and meet South Africa.

Final Group A Table