EN, FR, PR: Zambia, South Africa book semifinal spots at Region 5 Games
Zambia and South Africa have completed the semifinal line-up in the men’s Under-20 football competition at the Region 5 Games in Windhoek, Namibia on Wednesday.
South Africa defeated Eswatini 2-0 to top Group B and will take on Angola in Friday’s first semifinal at 12h00 CAF (10h00 GMT).
Zambia defeated Botswana 1-0 and finish second in their pool and meet Malawi in the last-4 on Friday (15h00 CAT; 12h00 GMT). Both those games are at the UNAM Stadium.
South Africa took the lead against Eswatini thanks to a strike from Steven Mendes in the first half, before Thandanani Mhlongo doubled the advantage in the second period.
Zambia were held at 0-0 by Botswana for 80 minutes, but grabbed a winner as Nkotami Chimwemwe netted with 10 minutes remaining.
Zambia and South Africa also took the top two positions in Group B in the women’s U20 competition to complete Friday’s semi-final line-up.
Zambia will face Group B runners-up Botswana in the first of the last-4 fixtures (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT). South Africa take on hosts Namibia in the second of those clashes (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT).
Both matches will be played at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
Zambia took top spot in the pool with a thumping 8-0 victory over Eswatini, mirroring the scoreline by which they beat Angola two days prior.
Ruth Mukoma was the heroine with five goals as Zambia were utterly dominant, as Lweendo Hanongo, Bwalya Chileshe and Grace Phiri also scored for the Young Copper Queens.
South Africa defeated Angola 5-2 to take second place in the pool. A brace from Lindelwa Mabuza and goals from Siphesihle Mvila, Katleho Malebana and Khwezi Khoza sealed the win.
Angola were level at 2-2 early in the second half thanks to goals from Maria Viera and Elizandra Jordão, but were outplayed in the end.
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
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Group B
Zambia 1 (Chimwemwe 80′) Botswana 0
South Africa 2 (Mendes 28’, Mhlongo 59’) Eswatini 0
FRIDAY’S FIXTURES
Semifinals
UNAM Stadium
South Africa vs Angola (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Malawi vs Zambia (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Malawi (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| Angola (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Namibia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Zambia (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Botswana | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 12
Goals scored: 34
Biggest victory: Zambia 3 Eswatini 0 (Group A, July 7); South Africa 3 Botswana 0 (Group A, July 7)
Most goals in a game: 6 – South Africa 3 Zambia 3 (Group B, July 5)
GOALSCORERS
2 goals – Mwisho Mhango (Malawi), Rashid Naobeb (Namibia), Gabriel Phiri (Zambia)
1 – Manuel Bernado (Angola), Neo Bohloko (South Africa), Kelvin Chipelu (Zambia), Danilson Cundula (Angola), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Nkotami Chimwemwe (Zambia), Clifford Chisale (Malawi), Billy Daka (Zambia), Takudzwa Darkeni (Zimbabwe), Phiwayinkhosi Dube (Eswatini), Irvin Evans (Botswana), Marcelo Faustino (Angola), Suveree Kauzuu (Namibia), Steven Mendes (South Africa), Thandanani Mhlongo (South Africa), Lameck Mithi (Malawi), Bokamoso Mokokosi (South Africa), Njabulo Mzimela (South Africa), Bongani Ndhlovu (Zambia), Molwantwa Ngube (Botswana), Luis Panda (Angola), Omphemetse Sekgoto (South Africa), Mapalo Simute (Zambia), Selwyn Stevens (South Africa), Tumiso Tshotlego (Botswana), Emile Witbooi (South Africa)
Own goal – Garie Chibika (Zimbabwe), Mcheni Kavendji (Namibia)
GIRLS COMPETITION
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Group B
Zambia 8 (Hanongo 9’, Mukoma 13’, 17’, 27’, 33’, 41’, Chileshe 45’, Phiri 70’) Eswatini 0
South Africa 5 (Mvila 4’, Malebana 45’, 82’, Mabuza 58’, Khoza 72’) Angola 2 (Viera 24’, Jordao 52’)
FRIDAY’S FIXTURES
Semifinals
Hage Geingob Stadium
Zambia vs Botswana (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Namibia vs South Africa (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Namibia (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Botswana (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| Malawi | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 1 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 9 |
| South Africa (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Angola | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 15 | -9 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 15 | -13 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 12
Goals scored: 52
Biggest victory: Zambia 8 Angola 0 (Group B, July 7); Zambia 8 Eswatini 0 (Group B, July 9)
Most goals in a game: 9 – Malawi 3 Zimbabwe 6 (Group A, July 8)
GOALSCORERS
5 goals – Ruth Mukoma (Zambia)
4 – Bwalya Chileshe (Zambia)
3 – Hope Lesotlo (Botswana), Maria Viera (Angola)
2 – Plaxina Blandason (Zimbabwe), Alicia Chinyoka (Zimbabwe), Lweendo Hanongo (Zambia), Lindelwa Mabuza (South Africa), Katleho Malebana (South Africa), Victoria Mbali (Zambia), Victoria Mkwala (Malawi), Saliya Mwanza (Zambia), Ontheedite Tokwane (Namibia)
1 – Renalda Angula (Namibia), Glória Araújo (Angola), Eunice Bwalya (Zambia), Sandra Correia (Angola), Sethabile Dlamini (Eswatini), Nozenzo Gama (Eswatini), Merian Genti (Zimbabwe), Elizandra Jordão (Angola), Khwezi Khoza (South Africa), Priviledge Mashanda (Zimbabwe), Zizipho Mhlahlo (South Africa), Busisiwe Mokoena (South Africa), Ntokozo Mpofu (Zimbabwe), Siphesihle Mvila (South Africa), Lombanya Mwewa (Zambia), Grace Phiri (Zambia), Amogolang Sebotho (Botswana), Faluna Umali (Malawi), Zangose Zulu (Zambia)
Le dernier carré constitué
Les Region 5 Games, qui se déroulent actuellement en Namibie, ont vu la phase de groupes des tournois de football masculin et féminin U20 se terminer mercredi. Les équipes participantes se sont battues avec acharnement pour obtenir leur place en demi-finale, et les résultats sont prometteurs pour les prochaines rencontres.
Dans le groupe B du tournoi masculin, la Zambie a remporté une victoire serrée contre le Botswana avec un but de Chimwemwe à la 81e minute, consolidant ainsi sa position pour les demi-finales. L’Afrique du Sud a également brillé, s’imposant 2-0 contre Eswatini grâce à des buts de Mendes et Mhlongo. Ces résultats ont permis aux équipes sud-africaines et zambiennes de se qualifier pour les demi-finales, avec un total de 7 points chacune.
Le programme des demi-finales s’annonce excitant. Vendredi 11 juillet, à l’UNAM Stadium, l’Afrique du Sud affrontera l’Angola à 12h, suivie par la rencontre entre le Malawi et la Zambie à 15h. Ces matchs détermineront qui se disputera la finale du tournoi.
Du côté féminin, l’Afrique du Sud a également montré sa force, écrasant l’Angola 5-2 avec une performance remarquable de Mvila, Malebana, et Khoza. La Zambie, quant à elle, a réalisé une démonstration impressionnante en battant Eswatini 8-0, avec un hat-trick de Ruth. Ces résultats ont permis à la Zambie et à l’Afrique du Sud de sortir premières de leur groupe respectif.
Les demi-finales du tournoi féminin auront lieu au Hage Geingob Stadium le même jour, avec la Zambie affrontant le Botswana à 12h et la Namibie contre l’Afrique du Sud à 15h. Les performances des équipes jusqu’à présent ont été enthousiasmantes, et le public attend avec impatience ces matchs décisifs.
En ce qui concerne les classements, le Malawi et l’Angola se sont qualifiés avec 7 points chacun dans le groupe A masculin, tandis que la Zambie et l’Afrique du Sud ont également terminé en tête de leur groupe avec 7 points. Dans le tournoi féminin, la Zambie a dominé le groupe B avec 9 points, suivie de l’Afrique du Sud avec 6 points.
Conhecidos os semifinalistas do COSAFA sub-20
Os campeonatos sub-20 masculinos e femininos da COSAFA, inseridos nos Jogos da Região 5, cumpriram hoje a terceira e última jornada da fase de grupos, com a cidade de Windhoek, na Namíbia, como palco das decisões. No sector masculino, o Grupo B confirmou o apuramento da África do Sul e Zâmbia para as meias-finais, depois de triunfos importantes nesta derradeira ronda: a Zâmbia venceu o Botswana por 1-0 no UNAM Stadium, com James Sibenene a ser distinguido como melhor jogador em campo, enquanto a África do Sul bateu o Eswatini por 2-0 no Hage Geingob Stadium, com Steven Mendes a assinar um dos golos e a receber também o prémio de melhor em campo. Do Grupo A, Malawi e Angola já tinham assegurado a passagem antes desta jornada, com Malawi a fechar no primeiro lugar, seguido de Angola. Assim, as meias-finais masculinas, agendadas para sexta-feira no Hage Geingob Stadium, vão opor Malawi a Zâmbia (12h00) e África do Sul a Angola (15h00), num cruzamento que promete duelos equilibrados entre os melhores da fase regular.
No sector feminino, a terceira jornada do Grupo B ficou marcada por uma exibição demolidora da Zâmbia, que goleou o Eswatini por 8-0, com Ruth Mukoma a brilhar ao apontar cinco golos só na primeira parte, arrecadando a distinção de melhor em campo e levando para casa a bola do jogo. No outro encontro do grupo, a África do Sul venceu Angola por 5-2, num jogo em que Katleho Malebana se destacou com dois golos e foi eleita melhor jogadora em campo. No Grupo A, Namíbia e Botswana já tinham garantido as vagas para as meias-finais após uma fase de equilíbrio, com a Namíbia a terminar no topo da tabela. Desta forma, as meias-finais femininas, igualmente marcadas para sexta-feira, terão os seguintes embates: Zâmbia defronta Botswana e Namíbia mede forças com a África do Sul, ambos agendados para as 12h00 no Hage Geingob Stadium.
Importa recordar que, segundo o regulamento da prova, apenas as duas primeiras equipas de cada grupo avançam para as meias-finais, o que deixou pouca margem para erros nesta fase regular. Nos masculinos, Malawi e Angola já tinham a situação resolvida antes da última ronda, enquanto nos femininos a Zâmbia destacou-se com uma campanha 100% vitoriosa e um impressionante saldo de 19 golos marcados sem sofrer qualquer tento. Com os melhores conjuntos da fase de grupos agora definidos, Windhoek prepara-se para um dia de decisões que promete futebol de qualidade e grandes emoções, com os quatro melhores de cada escalão a lutar pelo acesso à final e pelo título regional sub-20 da COSAFA.