EN, FR, PR: Zambia, Botswana claim bronze medals at Region 5 Games
Zambia and Botswana were winners of the bronze medals in the men’s and women’s Under-20 football competitions respectively at the Region 5 Games in Windhoek, Namibia on Saturday.
Zambia defeated Angola 5-4 on penalties after they had played to a 1-1 draw and leave the competition with the consolation of third on the podium.
Zambia led on 14 minutes when Billy Daka headed in a cross from the right, rising above two Angola defenders to steer the ball into the net.
It is his second goal of the tournament, one of several players on that numbers, all behind the leader in the race for the Golden Boot, Malawi’s Mwisho Mhango.
But Angola equalised from the penalty spot with a minute to go when António Eduardo converted from 12 yards.
That led to a shoot-out and while Zambia converted all their spot-kicks, a sole miss for Angola meant they miss out on a medal.
Defending champions South Africa and Malawi clash in the men’s final at the UNAM Stadium at 14h00 CAT (12h00 GMT) on Sunday.
South Africa have looked assured on their path to the decider, while Malawi will take much confidence from their semifinal victory over the Zambians.
Malawi have never won a COSAFA Under-20 title, so this provides them with an excellent chance to make history, while South Africa will seek a 10th championship in this age-group, which would put them two behind all-time record-holders Zambia (12).
Botswana claimed the bronze medal in the women’s competition as they defeated hosts Namibia 1-0 in the third-place play-off.
The only goal of the game was scored on 88 minutes by Shirley Tokonyane, who rifled in a shot from 10-yards after being picked out at a corner.
Namibia had their chances in the game but failed to convert, and Botswana were left to celebrate.
The final of the women’s competition between Zambia and South Africa will take place on Sunday at 11h00 CAT (09h00 GMT).
Zambia beat the South Africans 2-0 in their pool encounter earlier in the competition and have netted 24 times without conceding on their run to the final.
That makes them overwhelming favourites, but the South Africans will not go down without a fight.
Both finals will be streamed LIVE on COSAFA’s YouTube channel. They will also be streamed LIVE around the world on FIFA+, except in the countries of the competing teams at the Region 5 Games.
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
SATURDAY’S RESULT
Third-Place Play-Off
Angola 1 (Eduardo 89’) Zambia 1 (Daka 14’)
Zambia won 5-4 on penalties
SUNDAY’S FIXTURE
Final
UNAM Stadium
South Africa vs Malawi (KO 14h00; 12h00 GMT)
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 15
Goals scored: 41
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
4 – Mwisho Mhango (Malawi),
2 – Billy Daka (Zambia), Steven Mendes (South Africa), Rashid Naobeb (Namibia), Gabriel Phiri (Zambia), Emile Witbooi (South Africa)
1 – Manuel Bernado (Angola), Neo Bohloko (South Africa), Kelvin Chipelu (Zambia), Danilson Cundula (Angola), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Nkotami Chimwemwe (Zambia), Clifford Chisale (Malawi), Takudzwa Darkeni (Zimbabwe), Phiwayinkhosi Dube (Eswatini), António Eduardo (Angola), Irvin Evans (Botswana), Marcelo Faustino (Angola), Suveree Kauzuu (Namibia), Thandanani Mhlongo (South Africa),Lameck Mithi (Malawi), Bokamoso Mokokosi (South Africa), Njabulo Mzimela (South Africa), Bongani Ndhlovu (Zambia), Molwantwa Ngube (Botswana), Luis Panda (Angola), James Sibeene (Zambia), Omphemetse Sekgoto (South Africa), Mapalo Simute (Zambia), Selwyn Stevens (South Africa), Tumiso Tshotlego (Botswana)
Own goal – Garie Chibika (Zimbabwe), Mcheni Kavendji (Namibia)
GIRLS COMPETITION
SATURDAY’S RESULT
Third-Place Play-Off
Botswana 1 (Tokonyane 88’) Namibia 0
SUNDAY’S FIXTURE
Final
UNAM Stadium
Zambia vs South Africa (KO 11h00; 09h00 GMT)
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 15
Goals scored: 59
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
6 goals – Bwalya Chileshe (Zambia), Ruth Mukoma (Zambia)
3 – Hope Lesotlo (Botswana), Lindelwa Mabuza (South Africa), Saliya Mwanza (Zambia), Maria Viera (Angola)
2 – Plaxina Blandason (Zimbabwe), Alicia Chinyoka (Zimbabwe), Lweendo Hanongo (Zambia), Katleho Malebana (South Africa), Victoria Mbali (Zambia), Victoria Mkwala (Malawi), 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), Ruth Muwowo (Zambia), Siphesihle Mvila (South Africa), Lombanya Mwewa (Zambia), Grace Phiri (Zambia), Amogolang Sebotho (Botswana), Shirley Tokonyane (Botswana), Faluna Umali (Malawi), Zangose Zulu (Zambia).
La Zambie et le Botswana se consolent
Le tournoi COSAFA Region 5 U20, qui se joue actuellement en Namibie arrive bientôt à sa conclusion. Samedi 12 juillet a été marqué par les matches pour la troisième place, tant chez les hommes que chez les femmes. La Zambie et le Botswana n’ont pas manqué leur rendez-vous sur le podium. Place désormais à la finale qui aura lieu ce dimanche. Une nouvelle fois, le spectacle promet d’être au rendez-vous.
Dans le tableau masculin, la Zambie a remporté la médaille de bronze après un match serré contre l’Angola. Les deux équipes ont terminé le temps réglementaire sur un score de 1-1, avec un but de Daka pour la Zambie à la 14e minute, suivi de l’égalisation d’Eduardo pour l’Angola à la 88e minute. Le sort du match s’est joué lors de la séance de tirs au but, où la Zambie a triomphé 5-4, s’assurant ainsi une place sur le podium au Hage Geingob Stadium.
Du côté féminin, le Botswana a également brillé, décrochant la troisième place grâce à une victoire 1-0 contre la Namibie. Le seul but du match a été marqué par Tokonyane à la 43e minute, permettant au Botswana de terminer le tournoi sur une note positive au stade UNAM.
Ces résultats précèdent les finales qui se dérouleront dimanche 13 juillet. Dans le tableau masculin, l’Afrique du Sud affrontera le Malawi à 14h au Hage Geingob Stadium. Ce match promet d’être un affrontement passionnant entre deux équipes talentueuses qui aspirent à décrocher le titre.
Pour les femmes, la finale opposera la Zambie à l’Afrique du Sud, à 11h au même stade. Les deux équipes ont montré un excellent niveau de jeu tout au long du tournoi et sont prêtes à se battre pour la victoire.
Ces matches pour la troisième place ont non seulement souligné le talent des jeunes joueurs, mais ont également préparé le terrain pour des finales très attendues, où la compétition sera à son comble.
Zâmbia e Botswana “bronzeados” na Região 5
Os Campeonatos Sub-20 Masculino e Feminino da COSAFA, inseridos nos Jogos da Região 5, que decorrem em Windhoek, Namíbia, conheceram este sábado os vencedores das medalhas de bronze, após a realização dos embates de “play-off” de atribuição do terceiro lugar.
No sector masculino, a Zâmbia, campeã em título, enfrentou a selecção de Angola num confronto equilibrado, decidido apenas nas grandes penalidades. A Zâmbia adiantou-se no marcador com um golo de Billy Daka ao minuto 14, mas viu a vantagem ser anulada já perto do final, com Eduardo a restabelecer a igualdade aos 86 minutos. O empate a uma bola obrigou à decisão através da marca dos onze metros, onde a Zâmbia foi mais eficaz, vencendo por 5-4 e assegurando assim a medalha de bronze. Andrew Mwape, da Zâmbia, foi eleito o melhor jogador em campo.
No escalão feminino, o Botswana conquistou o terceiro lugar ao vencer a anfitriã Namíbia por 1-0, num encontro disputado no UNAM Stadium. Depois de uma primeira parte sem golos e com a Namíbia a desperdiçar várias oportunidades, a equipa do Botswana mostrou maior eficácia na segunda metade. O golo decisivo surgiu na sequência de um pontapé de canto, com Shirley Tokonyane, jogadora do Double Action Ladies, a marcar aos 88 minutos. A sua exibição valeu-lhe ainda a distinção de melhor jogadora em campo.
As finais dos dois torneios estão agendadas para este domingo, dia 13 de Julho, no Hage Geingob Stadium. No masculino, a África do Sul mede forças com o Malawi, depois de ter eliminado Angola por 2-0 nas meias-finais. O Malawi, por sua vez, surpreendeu ao afastar a campeã Zâmbia por 2-1. No feminino, a final será disputada entre Zâmbia e África do Sul; as zambianas chegam à decisão após uma expressiva vitória por 5-0 sobre o Botswana, enquanto a África do Sul superou a Namíbia por 1-0.
Com as decisões das medalhas de bronze já atribuídas, todas as atenções centram-se agora nas finais que irão coroar os grandes vencedores dos Campeonatos Sub-20 da COSAFA, encerrando em grande os Jogos da Região 5 na capital namibiana.