Botswana clash with Mauritius in the Boys U-17 competition
Photo Credit: Cosafa - Council of Southern Africa Football Associations
South Africa and Zambia boys teams won convincingly on Saturday to inch closer to the semifinals of the COSAFA Qualifiers for the 2025 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals underway in South Africa.
In the boys section, Group C action saw Kgosi Tshidi scoring a double for Botswana, as they eased to a 2-0 win over Mauritius at UJ Soweto Stadium to remain second, three points behind leaders South Africa.
The hosts South Africa marched past Comoros with a 3-0 victory thanks to Selwyn Stevens, Kamohelo Maraletse and Omphemetse Sekgoto's goals.
In an earlier Group B game at the same venue, Namibia edged Eswatini 2-1 after Bryten Paulse and Stephen Kamulu’s goals sandwiched Aviwi Dlamini’s face-saver for Eswatini.
In Group B late kick-off, leaders Zambia thrashed rivals Zimbabwe 5-1 thanks to Abel Nyirongo’s hat-trick, Mapalo Simute and Nkotamu Chimwemwe’s goals. The Zambians are certain of semifinal qualification whereas Zimbabwe have all to fight for in their last match of the pool.
There was also plenty of action in the girls category. Malawi’s unconvincing run at the tournament continued when they lost 4-2 to Madagascar. The Islanders won the game through Volana Andrianarison’s hat-trick and Angele Odilicia’s strike. Fatima Umali scored the two goals for Linda Kasenda’s side.
In another game, leaders South Africa cruised to a 5-0 demolition of Namibia with Okuhle Sithole’s ninth-minute goal opening the floodgates, followed by that of Khwezi Koza in the 29th minute then Katlego Mohane and Nishaat Levy completed the rout. South Africa lead the table on six points at par with Madagascar.
Elsewhere, Mozambique drew 1-1 with their neighbours Eswatini in a Group A contest. Fatima Houana’s seventh-minute effort had put the Mozambicans ahead only for Eswatini to pull level through Sphesile Maseko’s 23rd minute goal.
SUNDAY’S FIXTURES-BOYS
Group B – UJ Soweto Stadium: Malawi vs Lesotho (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Group B – AW Muller Stadium: Mozambique vs Angola (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
SUNDAY’S FIXTURES FOR GIRLS
Group C – UJ Soweto Stadium: Botswana vs Mauritius (KO 09h00; 07h00 GMT)
Group C – AW Muller Stadium: Zambia vs Zimbabwe (KO 11h00; 09h00 GMT)
Group A – UJ B Soweto Stadium: Comoros vs Eswatini (KO 11h00; 09h00 GMT)
Group A – UJ B Soweto Stadium: Mozambique vs Lesotho (KO 14h00; 12h00 GMT)
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