The TotalEnergies AFCON U20 Egypt 2023 COSAFA Qualifiers got off to a flying start at the Somhlolo Stadium in Mbabane as Zambia cruised past Mauritius with a comfortable 3-0 in the 12h00 kick off which was followed by a highly entertaining 2-1 victory by Eswatini over Botswana.

 A second-half brace by substitute Rickson Ng’ambi after a first half converted penalty by Chipyoka Songa ensured Zambia was enough to see the Zambians go top of group A and make a strong statement of intent in the competition.

It was surprisingly Mauritius who put the former champions on the backfoot in the opening minutes after a series of attacks in search of an early goal to unsettle their opponents.

The islanders squandered a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the 6^th minute when a hospital pass by Gift Mphande was intercepted by the on-rushing Stanley Conlet, who’s shot was directed straight at the Zambian shot-stopper, Levison Banda.

Zambia eventually found their rhythm and were duly rewarded for their relentless attacks when a well threaded ball for Derrick Bulaya saw him through on goal before he was fouled by the keeper, Talha Badulla, for the skipper, Songa to convert from the spot in the 20^th minute.

Zambia could have doubled their lead in the 26^th minute after a beautifully struck curler by the troublesome Joseph Banda was saved by a fully stretched Badulla.

The shot-stopper had to come to the rescue minutes later, after Banda found himself through on goal but failed to beat Badulla’s fully stretched hand.

Coming into the second stanza, substitute Ah Fock could have levelled matters after doing well to find space in the box but sailed his shot over the bar in the 50^th minute.

The Zambians regained control of the game and found the second when Amon Chulu skillfully went past two defenders to thread a ball for substitute, Rickson Ng’ambi who slotted home to put the game beyond reach for Mauritius in the 81^st minute.

Ng’ambi nailed the final nail in the coffin in the 90^th minute after connecting well with a cross by Lombe Mutale to make it 3-0 to the Zambians.

Cloudy conditions in the afternoon allowed for a high-paced match-up between eSwatini and Botswana in the final group A match.

With the backing of the home supporters, the hosts found the opener in the 14^th minute thanks to an unfortunate own goal by Nonofo Mosweunyane following a well driven cross by the speedy Sinenkosi Dlamini.

Mosweunyane redeemed himself in the 27^th minute with the assist of the strong winds after his corner kick was diverted into the near post to level matters before the break.

Dlamini continued to be a threat with his daring runs and almost caught the keeper off guard in the 27^thminute with a curling effort that was saved by Siyabonga Gagula.

The speedy winger almost regained his side’s lead after doing well to lose his marker but saw his effort narrowly go off target before the half time break.

Coming back from the break, Eswatini looked the more threatening side with the pacey Banele Nkambule on the far left being a menace to the Botswana defense. The lanky forward was unfortunate not to put his side in the lead when his well stinging strike from outside the box was tipped over the bar five minutes into the second half.

Miguel Kgomo should have capitalized from a goal keeping error after a well taken corner was mishandled by the keeper and dropped in the path of Kgomo, who’s volley went off target.

With the match headed for a stalemate, Eswatini playmaker, Mayibongwe Mabuza impressively found the back of the net, thanks to delightful cross by Dlamini in the 90^th minute to give the hosts the all-important victory.

Looking at tomorrow’s fixtures, Angola kicks off the group B fixtures with an interesting tie against Lesotho at 12h30 before the reigning champions, Mozambique lock horns with Seychelles at 15h30.

For the last three editions, Angola have fallen short of securing a place in the finals, finishing third in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 editions, and with a place in next year’s AFCON at stake, they will be aiming to advance beyond the bronze medal.

In Lesotho, they face a side that is very much capable of causing an upset, having finished an impressive second position in the 2017 edition.

The Young Pirates of Seychelles will then conclude tomorrow’s Group B fixture with a tough assignment against the current COSAFA U20 champions, Mozambique who will be looking at kicking off their title defense with a positive result.

South Africa then face Malawi to kick off proceedings in group C in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Amajita go into the tie as favourites having won 8 COSAFA titles, while their opponents are yet to make it out of the group stages in the history of the competition.

The day officially concludes with 2020 silver-medalists, Namibia taking on the Comoros who go into the tie as the underdogs, hoping to cause the first upset of the competition.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

Group A

Zambia 3 (Songa 20’, Ng’ambi 81’ 90’) Mauritius 0

Man of the match – Chipyoka Songa

 Eswatini 2 (OG Nonofo Mosweunyane 14’, Mabuza 90’) Botswana 1 (Nonofo Mosweunyane 30’)

 

 SATURDAY’S FIXTURES

ANGOLA vs LESOTHO 12h30

MOZAMBIQUE v SEYCHELLES 15h30

STANDINGS

GROUP A	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Zambia	1	0	0	0	3	0	3	3
Eswatini	1	0	0	0	2	1	1	3
Botswana	1	0	0	0	1	2	-1	1
Mauritius	1	0	0	0	0	3	-3	0

 

GROUP B	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Mozambique	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Angola	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Seychelles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lesotho	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

 

GROUP C	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Namibia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
South Africa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Comoros	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Malawi	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

  

TOURNAMENT STATS

Matches Played: 2
Goals scored: 6
Biggest victory: Zambia 3 Mauritius 0 (07 October 2022)
Most goals in a game: 3 07 October 2022)

GOALSCORERS

2 goals – Rickson Ng’ambi (Zambia)

1 goals – Chipyoka Songa (Zambia)

1 goal – Nonofo Mosweunyane (Botswana)

1 goal – Mayibongwe Mabuza (Eswatini)

OWN GOAL

1 goal – Nonofo Mosweunyane (Botswana)

 

L’Eswatini et la Zambie débutent bien

La Zambie a parfaitement assumé son statut de favori vendredi au Somhlolo Stadium en s’imposant face à Maurice 3-0. Dans l’autre rencontre, l’Eswatini et le Botswana ont livré un âpre duel. Il a d’ailleurs fallu attendre les derniers instants du match pour que l’Eswatini, porté par son public, ne parvienne à s’imposer (2-1).

Le grand bonhomme du match entre l’Eswatini et le Botswana se nomme Nonofo Mosweunyane. Il est passé par tous les émotions vendredi. Le défenseur des Zèbres a d’abord inscrit un but contre son camp au quart d’heure de jeu. Mais il s’est totalement racheté à la 30^e minute en envoyant son corner directement dans les cages de Magagula.

Mais le Botswana n’est jamais parvenu à capitaliser sur cette égalisation pour reprendre le match en main. Et il se faisait surprendre en fin de rencontre en concédant un but presque contre le cours du jeu sur un contre bien mené. Mabuza idéalement placé dans la surface de réparation n’avait aucun mal à reprendre un centre de la droite pour assurer les trois points.

Pour sa part, Shaun Theron, le capitaine du Botswana s’est vu remettre le titre de joueur du match. Un lot de consolation bien mérité après tout.

Malgré un score lourd, les Young Chipopolos ont eu du mal à imposer le rythme dans cette rencontre. La faute à une équipe de Maurice bien en place et qui répondait du tac au tac en termes de physique notamment. Maurice a d’ailleurs bénéficié de la meilleure occasion quelques minutes après le coup d’envoi. Stanley Collet se trouvait seul face au gardien de la Zambie mais ne parvenait pas à tromper sa vigilance. Un manque de précision qui allait se payer cash puisqu’à la 18^e minute, Songa transformait un pénalty après une faute du gardien mauricien dans sa surface.

Le calvaire des Mauriciens n’allait pas s’arrêter ainsi puisqu’en fin de rencontre, Ng’ambi qui était entré en cours de jeu, allait se transformer en véritable bourreau. Il débloquait son compteur à la 81^e minute avant de donner plus d’ampleur au score en se fendant d’un doublé à la 90^e minute. De son côté, Songa, qui a marqué le premier but de cette édition 2022, s’est vu décerné le titre d’homme du match.

Les Zambiens affronteront l’Eswatini ce dimanche dans le deuxième match du groupe A. Les Young Chipopolos peuvent faire un grand pas vers le prochain tour en cas de nouveau succès. De son côté, Maurice sera dans l’obligation de l’emporter contre le Botswana, sinon c’est la sortie.

Toujours place mais jamais vainqueur. C’est ainsi que l’on pourrait qualifier l’Angola. Les Jeunes Antilopes n’ont jamais remporté la COSAFA U20 et ont surtout aligné une terrible stats. De 2018 à 2020, ils ont à chaque terminé avec la médaille de bronze autour du cou. Un mauvais sort qu’ils espèrent rompre cette fois. Ils affrontent le Lesotho en match d’ouverture, un adversaire qui parait, à priori, à leur portée.

Attention toutefois car le Lesotho ne part pas perdant. Ses représentants ont disputé la finale de 2017 où ils sont tombés face à l’Afrique du Sud, non sans avoir offert une belle résistance (2-1). Ils ont toutefois perdu leurs trois matchs de poule en 2020 et ont notamment concédé la bagatelle de 12 buts pendant l’exercice. Non loin de leur terre, ils tenteront de réaliser un bon début.

Le Mozambique est le champion en titre de cette compétition. Les Mambinhas avaient réalisé une performance inattendue en 2020 pour s’offrir leur premier trophée régional. Ils espèrent bien débuter ce samedi face aux Seychelles. Les jeunes Pirates poursuivent leur apprentissage sur la scène internationale. Ils ne sont jamais sortis de la phase de groupe et comptent bien écrire une bien meilleure partition cette fois.

Huit fois vainqueur de cette compétition, l’Afrique du Sud débutera sa campagne face au Malawi. C’est un peu un choc de style avec notamment des Amajimbos affûtés physiquement et une équipe du Malawi qui privilégie le jeu léché. Cependant, depuis 2016, le Malawi n’est jamais parvenu à franchir la phase de groupe alors que le dernier sacre des Sud-Africain remonte à 2018. La Namibie a perdu la finale de 2020 et revient avec l’intention d’aller jusqu’au bout cette fois. Sa mission sera toutefois compliqué ce samedi face aux Comores.

 

Ngambi bisa na vitória da Zâmbia e Eswatini festeja ao apagar das luzes

A Selecção Sub-20 de Futebol da Zâmbia entrou com o pé direito na 28ª edição da  Taça COSAFA da categoria, ao vencer hoje, em pleno Somhlolo Stadium, por 3-0, a sua congénere das Maurícias, em jogo a contar para a primeira jornada do Grupo A, mercê de um bis de Rickson Ngambi (81´ e 90´) e Chipyoka Songa (20´).

Por sua vez, Eswatini, anfitrião venceu o Botswana por 2-1, depois de um empate a uma bola que durou até o minuto 89. Ainda assim, os caseiros beneficiaram de um autogolo marcado por Nonofo Mosweunyane (14´) e, o mesmo  viria redimir-se marcando o golo de empate quando estavam jogados 30 minutos. Mayibongwe Mabuza encarregou-se de fechar as contas marcando o golo letal aos 90 minutos. Um golo que levou ao delírio os cerca de 3.000 adeptos que assistiram a partida.

Com estes resultados, a Zâmbia e  Eswatini e Esawatini partilham a liderança na tabela classificativa com três pontos, enquanto Botswana com os mesmos pontos e Maurícias estão sem nenhum ponto.

De acordo com o formato da competição, as equipas estão dispostas em três grupos (ABC), em que transitam para as meias-finais apenas os primeiros melhores classificados de cada e o segundo melhor de todos.

É nesta prova onde serão apurados os representantes da zona que irão disputar o Campeonato Africano das Nações (CAN), que terá lugar no Egipto em 2023.

“Young Chipolopolo” implacável

Ausente na edição anterior (2020) a selecção das Maurícias despiu-se de qualquer tipo de inferioridade jogando diante do 11 vezes campeão, Zâmbia (1983,1986,1993, 1995, 1997, 1997, 1999,2003, 2010, 2011 e 2019). Os insulares até foram os primeiros a ameaçar a baliza adversária, mas o atacante Stanley Collet (6´)  não teve a frieza e engenho suficiente para  abater o guardião zambiano Jeban Tembo mesmo com a baliza a sua mercê.

Uma oportunidade desperdiçada que viria a penalizar a equipa treinada por Aboo Fatemamode (Maurícias), a passagem do minuto 19, após um dos defesas travar em falta o artilheiro zambiano Chipyoka Songa (20´), que no minuto seguinte, cobrou a contar a grande penalidade. Os “Young Chipolopolo”, alcunha da equipa zambiana só  não chegaram ao segundo golo porque o gigante  Jean Darbon, guarda-redes das Maurícias esticou-se para uma defesa providencial, aliás  o mesmo esteve em destaque ao longo da primeira etapa evitando muitos dissabores.

Contrariamente as anteriores aparições, as Maurícias protagonizaram uma exibição consistente e bem estruturada, claudicando apenas no capítulo da finalização.

À entrada para segunda parte,  os mauricianos procuraram reverter o cenário, mas foi a Zâmbia que intensificou o seu caudal ofensivo e dilatou o score, depois de uma jogada individual do defesa a serviço do Nkana FC, da Zâmbia, Amon Chulu, que fez os olhos dos centrais das Maurícias com dribles estonteantes, servindo depois  ao avançado Rickson Ngambi que atirou a contar fazendo o 2-0.

Desnorteados e despidos de ideias lúcidas, a formação das Maurícias cometeu um erro defensivo que abriu espaço para a Zâmbia alargar a sua vantagem no marcador. Rickson Ngambi voltou a evidenciar-se apontado o terceiro golo ao apagar das luzes!

Campeão inicia defesa do título amanhã  

O campeão em título, Moçambique só entrará em cena neste sábado. Ainda no sábado, entram em palco os grupos B e C. Angola e Lesotho irão protagonizar o primeiro jogo da Série A, no Mavuso Stadium, Manzini, quando forem 12.00 horas, enquanto que, Moçambique iniciará a luta pela defesa do título diante das Seychelles (15.30 horas).

 A fechar a jornada, os sul-africanos irão dar início a luta pela conquista do oitavo troféu, só que para isso terão que vencer primeiro o Malawi no Somhlolo Stadium (12.00 horas) e, o vice-campeão, Namíbia bater-se-á com as Comores, quando forem 15.30 horas.