Photo Credit: Lesotho Football Association Facebook
The group stage of the 2023 COSAFA Cup finished up on Wednesday with the final matches of Group C and Lesotho are the sole team to qualify for the semifinals out of the group. After wins in their opening two matches, The Crocodiles fell to Angola by a 4-2 score but still advance as the group winners. In the other match, Mauritius were defeated 1-0 by Mozambique which means that Group B team Zambia will join group winners Lesotho, South Africa and Malawi in the semifinals as the best ranked second place team.
Victories on Wednesday were not enough for the Lusophone members of COSAFA who both finished up disappointing campaigns on a positive note. Angola struck back from an early deficit against Lesotho to take a 2-1 lead before surrendering an equalizer just before halftime. The Palancas Negras were efficient with their opportunities in the second half, scoring two goals to win and finish second place in the group.
Mauritius needed to defeat Mozambique by four goals to advance as the best second placed team but The Dodos ended up finishing last in Group C following a 1-0 defeat to Mozambique. Abudo scored the only goal in the 39th minute on a stellar lifted finish over the goalkeeper for the Mambas who were already eliminated from contention to advance.
Highlights from both Group C matches are below from COSAFA TV.
Scores
Group C
Angola 4-2 Lesotho
Mozambique 1-0 Mauritius
Highlights
Angola 4-2 Lesotho
Mozambique 1-0 Mauritius