Zambia, Eswatini secure opening victories in TotalEnergies AFCON U20 Egypt 2023 COSAFA Qualifier

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

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)