The fourth day of the TotalEnergies U20 AFCON Egypt 2023 COSAFA Qualifiers took an interesting turn as the tournament draws near the exciting stages with Day 4 providing some interesting results to make the final round even more interesting.
Comoros went top of group C after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Malawi at the Mavuso Stadium with goals from Yakine Said and Samuel Betombo giving the islanders the victory while South Africa came back from behind to salvage a much-needed 5-2 win at the same venue.
The Somhlolo Stadium also played host to some interesting fixtures where Lesotho edged Seychelles 1-0 in the 12h00 kick off before reigning champions, Mozambique narrowly overcame Angola with the same scoreline in the 15h30 fixture.
It was a cagey opening to the Comoros and Malawi game, with both teams taking a cautious approach before Malawi got the first opportunity at goal in the 15th minute after a hanging ball found its way to Chrispine Mapemba headed over the bar.
After an evenly balanced encounter, it was Comoros who eventually found the opener in the 35th minute after Yakine Said did well to turn his marker in the box who in turn fouled him for the referee to point to the spot before Said slotted home.
Coming into the second half, Malawi sent numbers forward in search of the equalizer, but the tactically disciplined defense of Comoros stood firm to hold on to the lead throughout the opening half.
It was only at the hour mark that substitute; Emmanuel Saviel fired a long-range effort that almost caught Samir Moussa off guard who did well to make the save.
Robert Saizi did well to keep his side in the game after a series of attacks in the box saw the keeper away from his goal for Glenn Younousse to fire a shot which was cleared off the line by the alert Saizi.
Chifundo Mphasi was unfortunate not to bring his team back into the game when a penalty awarded for a hand ball saw his strike being denied by Moussa who put up a stellar performance in goal for the islanders.
The game was officially put beyond reach after a quick counter by the islanders concluded with a shot by Said being cleared off the line be the defense for the oncoming Samuel Betombo to make it 2-0 to Comoros – a result that sent them top of the group.
South Africa on the other hand were caught cold in the opening minute of their encounter against Namibia after Alberto Van Wyk scored the quickest goal of the tournament in the first minute of the game.
The goal unsettled the South Africans who took long to get into their usual passing game as the Namibians continued to frustrate them.
A goal did come for Amajita in the 17th minute after Brenden Duba did well to connect to a set piece with a header to level matters.
The lead was restored at the half hour mark when a set piece by the Namibians saw Lawrence Doeseb finishing off a rebounded effort into the net to give his side the advantage before the break.
Parity was again restored a minute into the second half when Oshwin Andries found himself in a good scoring position to send a grass cutting effort into the far post to bring Amajita back into the game.
Andries was on the scoresheet again in 54th minute after capitalizing on a mishandled shot by the keeper for the skipper to get his second and give his side the lead.
With momentum on their side, Amajita continued surging forward in search of more goals and were duly rewarded for their efforts with two late goals by Luke Daniels in the 85th minute as well as Relebohile Ratomo in 90th minute to give South Africa a chance at qualification.
Group B action continued at Somhlolo stadium as bottom of the group Lesotho came up against Seychelles. Both teams came into the tie coming off heavy defeats and were in desperate need of a result.
After slow start, both sides found their rhythm in search of a confidence boosting goal to keep their chances of progression alive.
With the game looking at ending as a goalless stalemate, Neo Maieane found the all-important goal in the 85th minute to give Lesotho a vital win – a result that affords Lesotho a glimmer of hope in their last match against reigning champions, Mozambique.
Reigning champions Mozambique faced Angola in the 15h30 fixture with both sides breaming with confidence following their impressive victories in the opening round.
It was a highly tactical affair with both sides having their fair share of scoring opportunities in the opening half.
The reigning champions eventually broke the stubborn Angolan defense in the 65th minute when Chamito Alfandega scored his second of the tournament with a well taken strike to make it 1-0 to the defending champions.
The Young Mambhina’s continued held on to their lead with Angola probing for the equalizer, but a very good performance saw them grind a result and remain top of Group B.
TUESDAY FIXTURES
Zambia vs Botswana
Eswatini vs Mauritius
