Zambia through to COSAFA Semis
HOSTS Zambia sealed their place in the semifinals of the 2019 Cosafa Men's Under-20 Championship following a nervy 2-1 victory over Malawi in their final Group A clash at a wet Nkoloma Stadium last night.
Zambia, who last claimed the title in 2016, finish top of their pool with a full haul of nine points, but were made to sweat by the Young Flames.
Malawi finish second but bow out as they cannot be among the best runners-up with only four points from their three matches.
Zambia took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from captain Golden Mafwenta and the prolific Francisco Mwepu, who netted his third of the competition.
But Malawi set up a thrilling finish when Francisco Madinga scored with 20 minutes remaining, though they were unable to force an equaliser.
Zambia will now meet the Angola in the semifinals on Thursday in what is set up to be a colossal clash.
Botswana beat Comoros Islands 2-0 in the other Group A clash at the Sunset Stadium on Tuesday to record their only victory of the competition.
Phaza Chose put them in front in the first half, before Youssouf Mohamed equalised for the islanders.
Botswana were able to grab the win though as Kaone Kolagano scored midway through the second period.
Powerful Angola swept into the semifinals as they made it three wins from three with another comprehensive display against their major pool rivals Eswatini.
Angola have now scored 13 goals in three games and conceded only once, a record suggests they are very much among the teams to beat in Lusaka.
Tournament top-scorer Ambrosini Salvador netted his fourth of the competition to open the scoring for the Young Palancas Negras, while a brace from Tangu Gastão sealed the points. Melono Muondo Dala also got on the scoresheet.
Eswatini were given some hope when they briefly brought the score back to 3-1 thanks to a goal from substitute Innocent Ndzinisa, but they could not get a further foothold in the game.
Eswatini must now wait to see if they have done enough to earn a semifinal place as the best-placed runner-up, with their six points having been more than enough in previous years.
They will do so if one of South Africa or Madagascar fail to win their final pool matches in Group B on Tuesday.
Mozambique ended their Group C campaign with a 3-2 victory over Seychelles in an exciting climax from both sides.
Neither had scored in this year's tournament before the game, but goals from Romao Joao (two) and captain Benedito Manjate sent the Young Mambas on their way.
Seychelles made a game of it though and found the back of the net through Kelsun Brutus and a late strike by Brandon Fanchette.
The final round of pool matches will be played in Group B on Tuesday when defending champions South Africa take on Lesotho at the Nkoloma Stadium (kick-off 15h30) needing a win to secure a place in the semifinals.
South Africa top the pool on goal-difference from Madagascar, and whatever happens in their fixture, the Malagasy will know that victory over Mauritius at the Sunset Stadium (15h30) will also seal them a berth in the next stage.
That would either be as runner-up or pool winners, depending on what happens in the other game.
There is a chance that all four sides could finish on four points if Lesotho and Mauritius pull off surprise victories, which would mean the positions would be decided by first goal-difference and then goals scored.
