There were two draws played in Group C at the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup 2024 on Friday as Angola and Namibia ended 0-0 and Lesotho drew 1-1 with Seychelles at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The much anticipated clash between Palancas Negras and the Brave Warriors failed to produce a goal despite the best efforts of
There were two draws played in Group C at the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup 2024 on Friday as Angola and Namibia ended 0-0 and Lesotho drew 1-1 with Seychelles at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The much anticipated clash between Palancas Negras and the Brave Warriors failed to produce a goal despite the best efforts of both sides but there was still rich entertainment for the fans who came into the stadium.
Last year’s beaten finalists Lesotho were held to a 1-1 draw by Seychelles in the opening game on Friday, ending a run of seven successive losses for the islanders in the competition dating back to 2019.
It is a seventh ever draw for Seychelles in the COSAFA Cup to go with one win and 27 defeats, so a point to celebrate.
Jane Thabantso, who holds the record for the fastest goal in COSAFA Cup history after 34 seconds against Mauritius in 2016, netted the opener for Lesotho on 19 minutes.
It is his seventh career goal in the competition, taking him level with Motebang Sera on the Lesotho scorers list in the COSAFA Cup, and two behind Eswatini’s Felix Badenhorst on the all-time list.
But Lesotho could not hold on and Seychelles found an equaliser midway through the second half via Lorenzo Hoareau to earn themselves a point.
The action continues on Saturday at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium with the second round of games in Group A. Entrance will be FREE with tickets for available at the USAVE Kwazakhele adjacent to the stadium on a first come, first served basis.
All four teams are on a single point in the pool after the opening set of games.
Mozambique drew 1-1 with hosts South Africa in their opener, while Eswatini and Botswana played to a 0-0 draw.
Mozambique take on Eswatini in their second game (kick-off 12h00 CAT), with honours even in COSAFA Cup matches between the sides on the past.
They have a win each and a draw in three past clashes, last meeting in the third-place play-off in 2021 when Eswatini were victorious on post-match penalties after the teams played to a 1-1 draw.
South Africa clash with Botswana (15h00 CAT) in the most played fixture in COSAFA Cup history, the 13th time they have clashed, and, quite incredibly, for the ninth tournament in a row.
They contested the 2016 final when an Olympics-bound South African side made up of Under-23 players triumphed 3-2 in Windhoek.
With 19 meetings in all competitions, this is also the second most played fixture for Bafana Bafana in their international history, only eclipsed by their 24 meetings with Zambia.
Bafana have yet to lose outright (W14 D5), though they have suffered defeat on post-match penalties.
All games will be streamed live on FIFA+, and you can follow the tournament from this dedicated 2024 COSAFA Cup page.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Group C – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Lesotho 1 (Thabantso 19’) Seychelles 1 (Hoareau 69’) – Recap on FIFA+
Angola 0 Namibia 0 – Recap on FIFA+
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
Group A – Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Mozambique vs Eswatini (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT) – Watch LIVE!
South Africa vs Botswana (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT) – Watch LIVE!
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Mozambique | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Botswana | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Eswatini | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Kenya | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Comoros | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Zambia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Lesotho | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Seychelles | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Angola | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 6
Goals scored: 7
Biggest victory: Zambia 0 Kenya 2 (Group B, June 27)
Most goals in a game: 2 – South Africa 1 Mozambique 1 (Group A, June 26); Zambia 0 Kenya 2 (Group B, June 27)
GOALSCORERS
1 goal – Chamito Alfandega (Mozambique), Rushwin Dortley (South Africa), Lorenzo Hoareau (Seychelles), Jane Thabantso (Lesotho), Austine Odhiambo (Kenya), Patrick Otieno (Kenya), Michael Tapera (Zimbabwe)
Encore des partages de points
Le Lesotho et les Seychelles se sont livrés un combat sans merci avec aucun vainqueur au bout du compte. Ce sont les Lesothans qui ont mieux démarré la rencontre en profitant des errements défensifs des Seychellois. Ces derniers ont connu une première période difficile caractérisé notamment par le manque de possession et l’incapacité à s’approcher des cages adverses. Ces tracasseries ont bien évidemment permis au Lesotho d’ouvrir le score dès la 19e minute par l’entremise de Jane Thabantso.
En seconde période, les Seychellois mettaient enfin le pied sur le ballon. Ils se montraient plus incisifs et conquérant. Sans doute tancé par leur coach durant la pause, on voyait des Pirates plus entreprenants et sur un contre, Lorenzo Hoareau remettait les deux formations à égalité. A partir de là, le match se décantait un peu plus avec notamment des occasions de deux côtés. Le score en restait là cependant. Pour les Seychelles, ce partage de points ressemble un peu à une victoire alors que pour le Lesotho, ce revers arrive au mauvais moment.
Alors que l’on s’attendait à un véritable choc entre l’Angola et la Namibie, il n’en fut rien. Les deux adversaires se sont séparées sur un score nul et vierge. La volonté de bien faire était pourtant bien présente mais au finale, le manque de réalisme dans le dernier geste n’a pas permis aux deux équipes de se départager. L’Angola a notamment eu quelques occasions sérieuses mais sans pouvoir concrétiser. Les deux adversaires devront montrer un bien meilleur visage lors de leur prochaine sortie.
Ce samedi, le tournoi visitera Wolfson Stadium alors que les horaires sont avancés. Le premier match est ainsi programmé à 12h avec un duel entre le Mozambique et l’Eswatini. Les deux équipes ont été tenues en échec au terme de la journée inaugurale. Elles seront donc en quête de victoire ce samedi. Les Mozambicains ont fait preuve de beaucoup de résistance face à l’Afrique du Sud mercredi. Ils seront les favoris dans ce match. L’Eswatini pour sa part, n’a toujours pas inscrit le moindre but dans le tournoi. Ses représentants tenteront de débloquer le compteur tout en s’offrant une victoire au passage.
Dans le deuxième match de la journée, l’Afrique du Sud affrontera le Botswana. Là encore, il s’agira de deux pays qui cherchent toujours un premier succès dans la compétition. Les Sud-Africains ont dépensé beaucoup d’énergie dans le match contre le Mozambique mercredi. Les Bafana Bafana ont, de plus, produit un football très fluide. Ils tiennent la corde dans ce match. Le Botswana devra élever son niveau de jeu pour espérer récolter une victoire ce samedi. Et dans cette poule où les quatre formations comptent un point, les vainqueurs pourront prendre une sérieuse option dans l’optique d’une qualification pour le prochain tour.
Seychelles prega susto Lesotho, Angola e Namíbia dividem pontos
A selecção das Seychelles conseguiu arrancar, hoje, um empate precioso diante do vice-campeão da Taça COSAFA-2023, Lesotho (1-1), despois deste ter estado a vencer por uma bola, graças ao golo madrugador de Jane Thabantso (19).
Por sua vez, a equipa insular chegou ao golo de empate quando estavam jogados 69 minutos por intermedio de Lorenzo Hoareau. A partida estava inserida para a primeira jornada do Grupo B desta competição, que arrancou no dia 26 deste mês, devendo terminar no dia 7 de Julho.
Ainda na mesma ronda, Angola e Namíbia não foram para além de um empate sem golos, neste que foi o quinto encontro entre as duas equipas. Na próxima jornada, Lesotho enfrenta Namíbia, no dia 1 de Julho, no Wolfson Stadium, às 15h00, mas antes disso, estrão em campo as formações das Seychelles e Angola (12h00).
Entretanto, Lesotho e Seychelles assinalaram o primeiro encontro no histórico de confrontos entre neste torneio regional, que não conta com as presenças de Madagáscar, Malawi e Maurícias. Na sua trajetória no COSAFA, as Seychelles conseguiram alcançar um resultado volumoso ao golear as Maurícias por expressivos 7-0 em 2007. As Seychelles não participaram em 2021, mas foram eliminadas na primeira ronda em 2022 e 2023.
Já o Lesotho, esteve pela primeira vez numa meia-final em 2000, quando perdeu de forma contundente para o Zimbabwe por claros 6-0. A segunda ocasião foi em 2023, com uma derrota diante da Zâmbia pela margem mínima de 1-0.
Todavia, após a conclusão dos jogos da primeira jornada da fase regular, arranca amanhã, no Wolfson Stadium, a segunda jornada do Grupo A, onde os integrantes desta série estão em igualdade pontual na pauta classificativa, depois dos empates registados na ronda inaugural.
Com efeito, as selecções de Moçambique e do reino do Eswatini serão as primeiras a entrarem em campo, às 12.00 horas, visto que, ainda no mesmo local, teremos o tão aguardado duelo entre a anfitrião África do Sul e Botswana, dois arquirrivais que irão defrontar-se pela nona vez nos confrontos deste torneio.
O torneio conta com a participação de 12 selecções nacionais divididas em três grupos de quatro cada, com os três vencedores de cada série e o melhor segundo classificado a avançarem para as meias-finais, que terão lugar no dia 5 de Julho e a final e o jogo de atribuição do terceiro lugar a realizarem-se dois dias depois.
Importa destacar que o novo formato de competição garante que cada país jogue um mínimo de três jogos e um máximo de cinco ao longo da competição. Também permite um dia de descanso no intervalo de um jogo para outro.
