EN, FR, PR: Botswana into women’s U20 football semifinals in Windhoek
Botswana became the first team into the semifinals in the women’s Under-20 football tournament at the Region 5 Games on Sunday, as it was a good day for the hosts with both the men’s and women’s Namibian sides posting victories in Windhoek.
In the men’s competition, Namibia made a fast start to their clash with Zimbabwe and were 2-0 up inside 13 minutes.
Suveree Kauzuu curled a beautiful shot from the edge of the box into the far top corner, before Rashid Naobeb took advantage of a poor clearance that fell to him on the edge of the box and he rifled his shot into the back of the net.
But Zimbabwe fought back. Takudzwa Darkeni’s shot somehow eluded the home goalkeeper and ended up in the far corner, and the unfortunate Mcheni Kavendji could do nothing as the ball deflected off him and into the Namibia net for 2-2.
That was the way it stayed until the final 17 minutes when Naobeb grabbed his second, again rifling in a powerful shot from the edge of the box.
The result means Zimbabwe are eliminated from the competition.
Malawi hit the front on 17 minutes in their 1-1 draw with Angola as Mwisho Mhango scored his second goal of the tournament with a low drive from the edge of the box. He was the star of the show in the win over Zimbabwe in their opener and was at it again.
But Angola were level four minutes into injury-time at the end of the first half as Malawi failed to clear a free-kick into the box and Marcelo Faustino turned the loose ball into the back of the net. That was the way it stayed.
The Group B action in the men’s tournament continues on Monday at the UNAM Stadium.
Zambia played to a 3-3 draw with South Africa in their opener on Saturday and take on Eswatini in their second fixture (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT).
South Africa, who are defending COSAFA U20 champions, have a clash against Botswana at the same venue at 15h00 (13h00 GMT).
Meanwhile, Botswana booked their place in the semifinals of the women’s competition with a 1-0 win over Malawi.
It is a second victory in a row and once again Hope Lesotlo was their heroine as she grabbed the winner of 57 minutes. They cannot finish outside the top two in Group A.
Namibia defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in the second game in the day as Ontheedite Tokwane netted the winner midway through the second half.
The Group B action in the women’s competition continues on Monday at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
South Africa face Eswatini in the opening game at 12h00 (10h00 GMT) having lost their opener to Zambia on Saturday. They will want to bounced back with a win, as will Eswatini, who lost 4-2 to Angola.
Zambia and Angola then clash at 15h00 (13h00 GMT) in the other fixture on Monday. A win for either and they will have at least one foot in the semifinals.
Sunday also saw see a special 7-a-side match labelled the Special Olympics Unified Sports Experience at Hage Geingob Stadium.
The Special Olympics Unified Sports Experience is an innovative model of inclusion that brings together dignitaries and Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities to play together, showing the way to end discrimination on and off the field.
The match saw dignitaries from governments across Southern Africa face Special Olympics athletes in a show of unity.
All Region 5 Games fixtures 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
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Group A
Angola 1 (Faustino 45’) Malawi 1 (Mhango 17’)
Namibia 3 (Kauzuzu 3’, Naobeb 13’, 73’) Zimbabwe 2 (Darkeni 23’, Kavendji 27’og)
MONDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B – UNAM Stadium
Zambia vs Eswatini (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
South Africa vs Botswana (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
Malawi | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Angola | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Namibia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Zimbabwe | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 0 |
GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
Botswana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
South Africa | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Zambia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Eswatini | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 6
Goals scored: 21
Biggest victory: Eswatini 1 Botswana 3 (Group B, July 5)
Most goals in a game: 6 – South Africa 3 Zambia 3 (Group B, July 5)
GOALSCORERS
2 goals – Mwisho Mhango (Malawi), Rashid Naobeb (Namibia)
1 – Neo Bohloko (South Africa), Danilson Cundula (Angola), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Takudzwa Darkeni (Zimbabwe), Phiwayinkhosi Dube (Eswatini), Irvin Evans (Botswana), Marcelo Faustino (Angola), Suveree Kauzuu (Namibia), Njabulo Mzimela (South Africa), Bongani Ndhlovu (Zambia), Molwantwa Ngube (Botswana), Gabriel Phiri (Zambia), Mapalo Simute (Zambia), Tumiso Tshotlego (Botswana), Emile Witbooi (South Africa)
Own goal – Garie Chibika (Zimbabwe), Mcheni Kavendji (Namibia)
GIRLS COMPETITION
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Group A
Malawi 0 Botswana 1 (Lesotlo 57’)
Namibia 1 (Tokwane 68’) Zimbabwe 0
MONDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B – Hage Geingob Stadium
South Africa vs Eswatini (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Zambia vs Angola (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
Botswana (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
Namibia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
Malawi | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
Zimbabwe | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
Zambia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Angola | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Eswatini | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 6
Goals scored: 14
Biggest victory: Zambia 3 South Africa 0 (Group B, July 5)
Most goals in a game: 6 – Eswatini 2 Angola 4 (Group B, July 5)
GOALSCORERS
2 goals – Hope Lesotlo (Botswana), Maria Viera (Angola)
1 – Glória Araújo (Angola), Plaxina Blandason (Zimbabwe), Bwalya Chipeshe (Zambia), Sandra Correia (Angola), Sethabile Dlamini (Eswatini), Nozenzo Gama (Eswatini), Lweendo Hanongo (Zambia), Lombanya Mwewa (Zambia), Amogolang Sebotho (Botswana), Ontheedite Tokwane (Namibia)
La Namibie assure
La ville de Windhoek, en Namibie, continue d’être l’épicentre du football jeune en Afrique australe, avec la tenue des championnats masculins et féminins U20 de la COSAFA, intégrés aux Jeux de la Région 5. Ce dimanche, la deuxième journée du Groupe A dans les deux catégories a apporté de nouvelles dynamiques aux classements et a accentué la compétitivité entre les sélections.
Dans la catégorie masculine, le stade Hage Geingob a été le théâtre de deux duels intenses. L’Angola et le Malawi ont fait match nul 1-1, avec un but de Clemente pour les Palanquinhas dans le temps additionnel de la première mi-temps (45’+3’), après que Mhango ait donné l’avantage aux Malawites à la 17ème minute. Hope Lesotlo, du Malawi, a été désigné meilleur joueur du match. Lors du second match du groupe, l’équipe hôte, la Namibie, a battu le Zimbabwe 3-2, grâce à un doublé de Rashid Naobeb (12’ et 73’) et un but précoce de Kauzuu (2’).
Du côté du Zimbabwe, Mozvowa (16’) et Chakuchichi (26’) ont encore alimenté l’espoir, mais cela n’a pas suffi à éviter une seconde défaite dans le tournoi. Au classement, le Malawi et l’Angola sont en tête avec quatre points chacun, issus d’une victoire et d’un match nul, tandis que la Namibie, maintenant avec trois points, reste en lice. Le Zimbabwe, sans points après deux journées, voit ses chances de qualification réduites de manière drastique.
La prochaine journée du Groupe B, prévue pour lundi, promet également de l’excitation, avec la Zambie affrontant l’Eswatini et l’Afrique du Sud mesurant ses forces contre le Botswana – ces derniers étant en tête du groupe après avoir triomphé lors de leur première rencontre.
Dans la catégorie féminine, le stade UNAM a accueilli les matchs du Groupe A, avec le Botswana consolidant sa position de leader en battant le Malawi 1-0, grâce à un but de Hope Lesotlo à la 57ème minute, qui a également été élue meilleure joueuse sur le terrain. Dans l’autre match, la Namibie a remporté sa première victoire, en battant le Zimbabwe 1-0 (Tokwane, 23’), avec Anami Uarije briller sur le terrain. Ainsi, le Botswana compte six points en deux matchs et est pratiquement qualifié pour les demi-finales, tandis que la Namibie, avec quatre points, reste bien placée.
Le Malawi et le Zimbabwe, tous deux avec un point, devront gagner lors de la dernière journée et espérer des faux pas de leurs rivales pour continuer à rêver de qualification. La prochaine journée du Groupe B, également ce lundi, mettra aux prises l’Afrique du Sud et l’Eswatini, et la Zambie contre l’Angola, avec les Angolaises cherchant à maintenir leur position de leader après un début victorieux.
Il est important de rappeler que seules les deux premières équipes de chaque groupe se qualifient pour les demi-finales, rendant chaque point précieux pour les aspirations des sélections. Dans la catégorie féminine, la COSAFA U20 a fait son retour au calendrier en 2023, après une interruption de quatre ans, la Zambie défendant le titre acquis lors de la dernière édition. En catégorie masculine, la Zambie reste le pays le plus titré, avec 12 trophées, suivie de l’Afrique du Sud et du Zimbabwe.
Avec des émotions à leur comble et une marge d’erreur de plus en plus réduite, l’issue de la phase de groupes promet d’être décidée jusqu’à la dernière minute, tant chez les hommes que chez les femmes, dans une compétition qui se réaffirme comme une vitrine du talent émergent de la région australe du continent africain.
Emoção e equilíbrio marcam segunda jornada em Windhoek
A cidade de Windhoek, na Namíbia, continua a ser o epicentro do futebol jovem da África Austral, com a disputa dos campeonatos Sub-20 masculinos e femininos da COSAFA, integrados nos Jogos da Região 5. Este domingo, a segunda jornada do Grupo A em ambos os escalões trouxe novas dinâmicas às tabelas classificativas e acentuou a competitividade entre as selecções.
No sector masculino, o Estádio Hage Geingob foi palco de dois duelos intensos. Angola e Malawi protagonizaram um empate a uma bola, com Clemente a marcar para os Palanquinhas nos descontos da primeira parte (45’+3’), depois de Mhango ter dado vantagem aos malawianos aos 17 minutos. Hope Lesotlo, do Malawi, foi distinguido como o melhor em campo. No segundo encontro do grupo, a anfitriã Namíbia venceu o Zimbabwe por 3-2, graças a um bis de Rashid Naobeb (12’ e 73’) e um golo madrugador de Kauzuu (2’). Do lado do Zimbabwe, Mozvowa (16’) e Chakuchichi (26’) ainda alimentaram a esperança, mas sem evitar a segunda derrota na prova. Na classificação, Malawi e Angola lideram com quatro pontos, fruto de uma vitória e um empate cada, enquanto a Namíbia, agora com três pontos, mantém-se na luta. O Zimbabwe, sem pontos após duas jornadas, vê as suas hipóteses de apuramento drasticamente reduzidas. A próxima jornada do Grupo B, agendada para segunda-feira, promete igualmente emoção, com Zâmbia a defrontar Eswatini e África do Sul a medir forças com Botswana – estes últimos líderes do grupo após triunfarem na estreia.
No feminino, o UNAM Stadium recebeu os jogos do Grupo A, com Botswana a consolidar a liderança ao bater o Malawi por 1-0, golo de Hope Lesotlo aos 57 minutos, que também foi eleita melhor jogadora em campo. No outro desafio, a Namíbia conquistou a primeira vitória, derrotando o Zimbabwe por 1-0 (Tokwane, 23’), com Anami Uarije a brilhar no relvado. Assim, Botswana soma seis pontos em dois jogos e está praticamente apurada para as meias-finais, enquanto a Namíbia, com quatro pontos, mantém-se bem posicionada. Malawi e Zimbabwe, ambos com um ponto, terão de vencer na derradeira jornada e esperar por deslizes das rivais para ainda sonharem com o apuramento. A próxima jornada do Grupo B, também esta segunda-feira, coloca frente a frente África do Sul e Eswatini, e Zâmbia contra Angola, com as angolanas a tentarem manter a liderança do grupo após um início vitorioso.
Importa recordar que apenas as duas primeiras classificadas de cada grupo seguem para as meias-finais, tornando cada ponto conquistado vital para as aspirações das selecções. No sector feminino, a COSAFA Sub-20 regressou ao calendário em 2023, após uma paragem de quatro anos, com a Zâmbia a defender o título conquistado na última edição. Em masculinos, a Zâmbia mantém-se como recordista de troféus, com 12 títulos, seguida da África do Sul e Zimbabwe.
Com as emoções ao rubro e a margem de erro cada vez mais reduzida, o desfecho da fase de grupos promete ser decidido até ao último minuto, tanto no masculino como no feminino, numa competição que volta a afirmar-se como uma montra do talento emergente da região austral do continente africano.