The 2021 COSAFA Cup is reaching the business end of the group stage with teams jostling for the top two spots and qualification for the semifinals. Namibia and Mozambique obtained important victories on Sunday to boost their chances, both teams winning 2-0 over Zimbabwe and Malawi respectively to become the current occupiers of the top two spots in the group.
The Brave Warriors of Namibia made it two wins from two matches with their victory over Zimbabwe, an important result considering they will have to finish up their group stage campaign with two games in two days. The match was evenly played but naïve moments in the Zimbabwean defense cost them in the second half. In the 70th minute Namibia opened the scoring when a cross from Willy Stephanus found striker Elmo Kambindu, who directed a pass to the edge of the 6 yard box that was directed into his own net by Qadr Amini. Late on a bouncing free kick was flicked on brilliantly by Isaskar Gurirab to Kambindu, who was left 1v1 with Zimbabwe keeper Washington Arubi and looped his finish over the onrushing keeper to finish off the result.
In the later match, Mozambique finally got on the score sheet at a crucial time in their 2-0 win over Malawi. Victor Junior put away a penalty kick to put the Mambas in the lead on 55 minutes after an unfortunate handball committed by Malawi that may have been a bit of a harsh call from the referee. Later on in the 68th minute Francisco Simbine of Marítimo put the match away with an easy header into the open net after Shaquille Nangy’s initial header was saved right over to Simbine.
Highlights of the games are below. Namibia have their semifinal spot all but locked up with six points from two games while Mozambique are back in the discussion, moving up to second place in Group B with four points from three games.
Namibia 2-0 Zimbabwe
Mozambique 2-0 Malawi