EN, FR, PR: Exciting open day at Region 5 Games U20 football in Windhoek
There were goals and some superb individual performances in the men’s and women’s Under-20 football competitions which kicked-off at the Region 5 Games in Windhoek, Namibia on Friday.
There were two games each in Group A in both the men and women’s tournaments as the players began their campaign to what they hope will be the gold medal come the finals on July 13.
Malawi top Group A after the first round of fixtures in the men’s competition as they defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
Mwisho Mhango put the Young Flames ahead in the first half, but Tadiwa Chakuchichi equalised for Zimbabwe just before the hour-mark.
Malawi hit the front again when Mhango unselfishly tried to cross the ball when through on goal and it deflected into the net off Zimbabwe defender Garie Chibika for an unfortunate own goal.
Angola got their campaign off to a solid start with a 1-0 win over hosts Namibia in the second game in Group A.
The match was decided by a single strike from Angola’s Danilson Cundula, whose brilliant volley at the back post arrowed into the net.
The action continues on Saturday when the first matches are played in Group B.
Eswatini meet Botswana at the UNAM Stadium at 12h00 CAT (10h00 GMT) and later in the afternoon South Africa clash with Zambia in a classic Southern Hemisphere showdown that is a repeat of the 2024 COSAFA U20 Championship final in Matola. Kick-off is 15h00 CAT (13h00 GMT).
The Under-20 women’s competition also got off to a fine start at the UNAM Stadium as Botswana edged Zimbabwe 2-1 in Group A, providing a disappointing day for both sides from the latter nation.
Zimbabwe took an early lead through Plaxina Blandason, but Botswana were level by the break as substitute Hope Lesotlo fired in a shot from 25 yards that is an early contender for goal of the tournament.
It looked as though the match would finish 1-1, but in the second minute of injury-time at the end of the game, a quick counterattack from Botswana allowed Amogolang Sebotho to score.
In the second game of the day, hosts Namibia and Malawi played to a goalless draw. Both sides had chances but neither could find the back of the net to get their campaigns off to a winning start.
The two Group B fixtures in the women’s competition on Saturday will be played at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
Eswatini play Angola at 12h00 CAT (10h00 GMT), while later in the afternoon there is another showdown between South Africa and Zambia, two of the pre-tournament favourites. That match is at 15h00 CAT (13h00 GMT).
All games will be streamed LIVE on COSAFA’s YouTube channel. Matches will also be streamed LIVE around the world on FIFA+, except in the countries of the competing teams.
As per the rights agreement with Region 5 Games organisers, matches will be available to view in full on FIFA+ in those countries 30 minutes after the final whistle.
BOYS COMPETITION
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Group A
Malawi 2 (Mhango 25’, Chibika 72’og) Zimbabwe 1 (Chakuchichi 58’)
Namibia 0 Angola 1 (Cundula 14’)
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B – UNAM Stadium
Eswatini vs Botswana (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
South Africa vs Zambia (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Malawi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Angola | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Botswana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eswatini | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zambia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 2
Goals scored: 4
Biggest victory: Malawi 2 Zimbabwe 1 (Group A, July 4); Namibia 0 Angola 1 (Group A, July 4)
Most goals in a game: 3 – Malawi 2 Zimbabwe 1 (Group A, July 4)
GOALSCORERS
1 goal – Danilson Cundula (Angola), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Mwisho Mhango (Malawi)
Own goal – Garie Chibika (Zimbabwe)
GIRLS COMPETITION
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Group A
Botswana 2 (Lesotlo 39’, Sebotho 90’) Zimbabwe 1 (Bandason 5’)
Namibia 0 Malawi 0
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B – Hage Geingob Stadium
Eswatini vs Angola (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Zambia vs South Africa (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Botswana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Malawi | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Angola | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eswatini | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zambia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 1
Goals scored: 3
Biggest victory: Botswana 2 Zimbabwe 1 (Group A, July 4)
Most goals in a game: 3 – Botswana 2 Zimbabwe 1 (Group A, July 4)
GOALSCORERS
1 goal – Plaxina Blandason (Zimbabwe), Hope Lesotlo (Botswana), Amogolang Sebotho (Botswana)
Namibie et Malawi se neutralisent, le Botswana en tête
Les Championnats U-20 masculins et féminins de la Région 5 de la COSAFA ont débuté le vendredi 4 juillet, à Windhoek, en Namibie. La première journée des groupes A des deux catégories a déjà été marquée par des émotions et des surprises.
Dans le tournoi masculin, le Malawi a commencé de la meilleure manière en battant le Zimbabwe 2-1, grâce à deux buts de Mwisho Mhango (25’ et 72’), élu meilleur joueur du match, tandis que Chakuchichi (57’) a inscrit l’unique but pour le Zimbabwe. Lors de la deuxième rencontre du groupe, l’Angola a triomphé face à la Namibie sur le score de 1-0, grâce à un but précoce de Danilson (13’), avec Luís Panda se distinguant comme le meilleur joueur sur le terrain. Après cette première ronde, le Malawi et l’Angola partagent la tête du Groupe A, chacun avec trois points, tandis que le Zimbabwe et la Namibie restent à zéro, devant impérativement marquer des points lors de la prochaine journée pour ne pas compromettre leur qualification pour les demi-finales.
Du côté féminin, également dans le Groupe A, le Botswana a réalisé un retournement de situation face au Zimbabwe, s’imposant 2-1 avec des buts de Lesotlo (39’) et Sebotho (90’), après que Bandason (5’) ait ouvert le score pour le Zimbabwe. Malgré la défaite, Alicia Chinyoka, du Zimbabwe, a été élue meilleure joueuse du match. Dans l’autre rencontre, Namibie et Malawi n’ont pas réussi à se départager, avec un score nul très équilibré. Avec ces résultats, le Botswana prend la tête du classement avec trois points, suivi par la Namibie et le Malawi avec un point chacun, tandis que le Zimbabwe, toujours sans point, devra gagner lors du prochain tour pour relancer ses espoirs.
Les regards se tournent désormais vers le Groupe B, qui entre en action ce samedi, tant chez les hommes que chez les femmes. Dans le secteur masculin, l’Eswatini affronte l’Angola, tandis que la Zambie et l’Afrique du Sud s’affrontent dans un classique, une réédition des finales les plus disputées de l’histoire de la COSAFA. Rappelons que la Zambie détient le record de titres masculins avec 12 victoires, tandis que l’Afrique du Sud, championne en titre, compte neuf trophées, promettant un affrontement de grande intensité.
Chez les femmes, les sélections du Groupe B commencent également leur parcours, avec l’ambition de succéder à la Zambie, championne en 2024, qui a retrouvé son statut après que la Tanzanie, représentante de l’Afrique de l’Est, ait créé la surprise lors de la précédente édition. Les attentes sont élevées pour voir qui pourrait menacer la domination de la Zambie et de l’Afrique du Sud, les équipes les plus titrées de la région.
Avec ce début prometteur des Championnats Sub-20 de la COSAFA dans le cadre des Jeux de la Région 5, la lutte pour les premières places est lancée, toutes les sélections rêvant de gloire régionale et écrivant une nouvelle page d’or dans le football jeune du sud du continent africain.
Malawi, Angola e Botswana triunfam na estreia!
Os Campeonatos Sub-20 Masculinos e Femininos da COSAFA arrancaram hoje, 4 de Julho, em Windhoek, Namíbia, inseridos nos Jogos da Região 5, e já trouxeram emoção e surpresas na primeira jornada dos grupos A de ambos os escalões.
No torneio masculino, o Malawi entrou da melhor forma ao vencer o Zimbabwe por 2-1, com dois golos de Mwisho Mhango (25’ e 72’), eleito melhor em campo, enquanto Chakuchichi (57’) apontou o único tento dos zimbabweanos. Na segunda partida do grupo, Angola bateu a anfitriã Namíbia por 1-0, graças a um golo madrugador de Danilson (13’), com Luís Panda a destacar-se como o melhor jogador em campo. Assim, depois da ronda inaugural, Malawi e Angola partilham a liderança do Grupo A, ambos com três pontos, enquanto Zimbabwe e Namíbia ficam ainda a zeros, obrigados a somar pontos na próxima jornada para não comprometerem o apuramento para as meias-finais.
No feminino, também no Grupo A, o Botswana protagonizou uma reviravolta sobre o Zimbabwe, triunfando por 2-1, com golos de Lesotlo (39’) e Sebotho (90’), depois de Bandason (5’) ter colocado o Zimbabwe em vantagem. Apesar da derrota, Alicia Chinyoka, do Zimbabwe, foi eleita melhor jogadora em campo. No outro encontro, Namíbia e Malawi não conseguiram desfazer o nulo, num jogo muito equilibrado. Com estes resultados, o Botswana lidera a tabela com três pontos, seguindo-se Namíbia e Malawi com um ponto cada, e o Zimbabwe, sem pontos, terá de vencer na próxima ronda para relançar as suas aspirações.
As atenções viram-se agora para o Grupo B, que entra em acção este sábado, tanto em masculinos como em femininos. No sector masculino, Eswatini mede forças com Angola, enquanto Zâmbia e África do Sul protagonizam um clássico de titãs, numa reedição das finais mais disputadas da história da COSAFA. Recorde-se que a Zâmbia detém o recorde de títulos masculinos, com 12 conquistas, enquanto a África do Sul é a campeã em título e soma nove troféus, prometendo um embate de grande intensidade.
Também no feminino, as selecções do Grupo B começam a sua caminhada, com os olhos postos na sucessão da Zâmbia, campeã em 2024 e com regresso ao topo da modalidade após a Tanzânia, representante da África Oriental, ter surpreendido na edição anterior. A expectativa é elevada para perceber quem poderá ameaçar o domínio da Zâmbia e da África do Sul, as equipas mais tituladas da região.
Com o arranque prometedor desta edição dos Campeonatos Sub-20 da COSAFA inseridos nos Jogos da Região 5, a luta pelos lugares cimeiros está lançada, com todas as selecções a sonhar com a glória regional e a escrever mais uma página de ouro no futebol jovem do sul do continente africano.