Defending champions Mozambique will take on Zambia in the final of the TotalEnergies U20 AFCON Egypt 2023 | COSAFA Qualifier on Sunday but both have already achieved one pre-tournament aim.
They have qualified for the continental finals in Egypt that will take place early next year, keeping on track for a place at the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
The duo will represent the COSAFA region at the CAF tournament, but before then have silverware to fight over as they look to take the regional crown when the decider is played at the Somhlolo Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 15h30 CAT).
That will be preceded by the bronze medal match between South Africa and Angola at 12h00 CAT.
Mozambique’s fast start to the first semifinal saw them defeat South Africa 2-1, though they had to hang on at the end following a first half red card.
They took the lead on 10 minutes as Chamito Alfandega picked up the ball on the edge of the box and sprinted clear to score.
They doubled their advantage four minutes later as South Africa could not cope with the aerial ability of Keyns Abdala from a corner and the Mozambique skipper scored with a header.
The South Africans were back in the game and pulled a goal back midway through the first half when Brenden Duba was put into space in the box and scored.
Their cause was helped further when Mozambique midfielder Calilo Traore picked up a second yellow card and the Young Mambas were reduced to 10 men.
South Africa dominated the second period, but could not break down the Mozambican defence and are left to compete in Sunday’s bronze-medal match.
The second semifinal was a tense affair in which Angola took the lead through the giant Domingos Bandeira as he headed home a corner.
But Zambia equalised before the break as Chipyoka Songa netted with a superb 30-yard free-kick.
The teams could not be separated the match went to penalties, with Young Chipolopolo goalkeeper Jeban Tembo proving the hero as he saved three spot-kicks in the shoot-out to seal his side’s place in the final.
Entrance for Sunday’s final two matches at the Somhlolo Stadium will be free to fans, who can collect their tickets on a first come, first served basis at the at Eswatini Mobile Service Centres and Nedbank branches during normal business hours.
SUNDAY’S FIXTURES
Third-Place Play-Off
12h00 CAT (10h00 GMT) – South Africa vs Angola – Somhlolo Stadium
Final
15h30 CAT (13h30 GMT) – Mozambique vs Zambia – Somhlolo Stadium
