COSAFA U-20: Men’s and Women’s teams of South Africa and Zambia confirm semifinals

South Africa and Zambia’s under-20 men’s and women’s national teams qualified for the COSAFA U-20 Championship semifinals after Wednesday’s slate of games in Namibia.

Zambia also secured their semifinal spot with a 1-0 victory over Botswana at UNAM Stadium where Nkotami Chimwemwe struck a Goal of the Tournament contender nine minutes to full time.

Steven Mendes and Thandanani Mhlongo scored in either half at Hage Geingob Stadium as South Africa dispatched Eswatini 2-0. The two goals were enough to send South Africa through to the last-four for the boys in Group B.
The two qualified teams emulated Angola and Malawi who qualified for the semifinals after winning their respective matches on Tuesday.

South Africa and Zambia qualify for the semifinals.

Women’s Tournament

South Africa’s girls qualified for the semifinals after edging Angola 4-2 in a Group B match in Namibia on Wednesday. They joined other group members Zambia, Namibia and Botswana who had already sailed through going into Wednesday’s matches.

South Africa dominated the game against Angola. Felisberto Trinidade’s girls did not take long to concede from winger Siphelile Mvila’s strike. Striker Maria Viera pulled one back for Trinidade’s team before Katleho Malebana restored South Africa’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

Malebana claimed her second of the afternoon with eight minutes remaining in regulation time some 22 minutes after Mabuza had scored South Africa’s third goal in the second half shortly after Joa’s second goal for Angola.

Earlier, Zambia wrapped up their Group B academic assignments with a 8-0 demolition of Eswatini at Hage Geingob Stadium.

Defender Lweendo Hanongo opened the goals’ galore after nine minutes before striker Ruth Mukoma added the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the 13th, 17th, 27th, 33rd minutes and 41st minutes, respectively.

Forward Bwalya Chileshe made it seven unanswered goals in the 45th minute for Zambia to lead 7-0 at the break with Grace Phiri’s 70th minute effort confirming the resounding victory.

Coach Charity Nthala’s Zambia are in the semifinals as the favorites while her opposite number Artwel Dludlu’s Eswatini were sent packing. The Copper Princesses were in the scoring mood despite having already advanced to the semifinal stage after a commanding 8-0 humiliation of Angola on Monday.

Botswana and hosts Namibia’s girls teams were the first to confirm their slots in the last-four from Group A on Tuesday.

Group B Table
Zambia and South Africa qualify for the semifinals.