Group A is complete at the 2023 COSAFA Cup and hosts South Africa emerged as the group winners but it was not easy. Bafana Bafana fell behind to Eswatini early in the second half but came behind to win 2-1 to stand at the top of Group A with seven points. In the other match played simultaneously, Botswana and Namibia remained deadlocked with a 0-0 draw.
Eswatini have never defeated South Africa but put in a fierce effort, finding the net in the 51st minute through Bongwa Matsebula. Orlando Pirates forward Tshegofatso Mabasa has proven to be useful as a substitute so far in the tournament and he equalized for Bafana with a hard shot in the 77th minute. Mabasa struck again in the 89th minute with a sliding poacher’s finish past Eswatini goalkeeper Mathabela Sandanezwe.
Botswana had an opportunity to advance to the semifinals but needed to win by a minimum of two goals on Tuesday, something they failed to do in a scoreless draw against Namibia. It was an expected result considering all of their close meetings in recent times but both sides join Eswatini in being eliminated from the competition. Zambia are poised to advance as the best second placed team among the three groups unless Mauritius can pull off a lopsided victory against Mozambique tomorrow.
Highlights from South Africa’s victory are below from COSAFA TV.
Scores
Group A
South Africa 2-1 Eswatini
Botswana 0-0 Namibia
Highlights
South Africa 2-1 Eswatini