Having drawn 1-1 with Angola, Malawi are still winless after two games at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier, while Mozambique defeated Lesotho 1-0 late on at the University of Johannesburg’s AW Muller Stadium on Friday.
Angola have amassed four points after a win and a draw to top Group A, but are joined by Mozambique, also on four points, after they beat Lesotho. Malawi are third after playing two draws and Lesotho are languishing at the bottom of Group A after two losses.
Malawi mainly played direct football to progress up the pitch where central defender Francis Alfanzema and right-back James Msongole played long vertical and diagonal passes behind Angola’s back line.
However, the Malawi forwards’ decision-making in the final third let them down as they could not score. On the other hand, Angola dominated in central midfield where Delfim Luwawu Lucas, Joao Capitao Manelson and Denzel Liyun played quick combination play to progress up the pitch.
Also, Angola penetrated on the right flank where full-back Jose Baptista Kalanguinha overlapped to create numerical superiority in attack and constantly delivered crosses into the penalty area.
In the 50th minute, James Lumbe scored a beautiful free-kick to give Malawi a lead. However, Angola players did not despair as they kept on attacking. Their persistence paid off in the 69thminute when right-back Kalanguinha delivered a cross into the penalty area and Paulo Dias Luvumbo headed into the net to equalise.
In the second match in Group A, both Mozambique and Lesotho missed numerous scoring chances in the first 20 minutes due to lack of composure in the penalty area.
Thuto Khetsi pulled strings in the midfield for Lesotho although he played mainly diagonal passes due to the fact that Mozambique midfielders blocked passing lanes in front of him.
On the left flank, Morena Masithela enticed defenders and got the better of them in other instances before crossing the ball into the penalty area.
Mozambique’s central midfielder Abdul Roroge in the first half played vertical passes forward and took shots from range but could not find the back of the net. In addition, right-back SidrekAlferes overlapped to overload in attack and delivered good crosses into the penalty areaalthough they were not converted. Kille Lino dribbled defenders on the right but his crosses into the penalty area were inaccurate most of the time.
Levonor Timbe scored a stunner from outside the penalty area in the 90th minute to hand Mozambique their first win.
All games at the competition will be streamed live on FIFA+, and you can follow the action from this dedicated tournament page.
Meanwhile, day three of the 2024 COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championships opened with the conclusion of match day one of Group C where Zambia bagged maximum points after defeating Botswana 3-0 at the UJ Soweto Stadium on Friday.
Zambia, who have just competed at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, dominated play, creating better scoring chances.
They could have broken the deadlock within the first 20 minutes but wasted the opportunity. There was a chance four minutes later from captain Mercy Chipasula’s free kick but it was saved by the Botswana goalkeeper.
The combination of Lweendo Hanongo and Natsha Nkaka kept the Botswana defense busy as they almost created a goal just before the half hour mark. Carol Kanyemba’s side’s efforts were finally rewarded in the 36th minute through Chipasula.
They could have doubled the lead three minutes later if Grace Phiri’s header wasn’t off target but had to settle for the 1-0 lead at halftime.
The Copper Princesses picked up where they left off in the second half but were still missing chances. Nkaka scored a cracker of goal to give Zambia the cushion goal in the 64th minute.
With great momentum built Hanongo tested the Botswana keeper and was denied by the woodwork. Zambia were not done yet as Hellen Banda came off the bench seal the victory with a third goal in injury time. The result means Zambia go top of Group C with three points, followed by Zimbabwe who defeated Mauritius 2-1 on Thursday with the same number of points with Mauritians third and Botswana at the bottom both with no points.
Meanwhile, the second match, a Group A encounter Lesotho gave themselves a shot at qualifying for the knockout stage after annihilating Comoros 10-0 in Soweto. Lekenyane Mampona scored just before the break.
Nteboheleng Sooano and Ntsamaeng Tholo added two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half. Tholo scored four goals, which moved her to the top spot on the goalscorer charts with seven from two games.
Thato Molete, Itumeleng Phiri, Tebello Lesala and Boiketlo Molise were also on the scoresheet as Lesotho went to the summit of the pool with six points. For Comoros, it is likely the end of the road as they sit at the foot of the table with no points after two matches.
Day four is chock-a-block with three fixtures starting with a Group A game between Mozambique and Eswatini at 09h00 in Auckland Park, to be followed by the Group B match between Malawi and Madagascar at 11h00 in Soweto.
This match will be followed by the last game of the day, another Group B encounter between hosts South Africa and Namibia, also in Soweto at 14h00.
TOTALENERGIES U-17 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2025 | COSAFA QUALIFIER STATISTICS
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Group A – UJ AW Muller Stadium
Malawi 1 (Lumbe 50’) Angola 1 (Luvumbo 69’)
Mozambique 1 (Timbe 90’) Lesotho 0
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B – UJ Soweto Stadium
Namibia vs Eswatini (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Zambia vs Zimbabwe (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Group C – UJ AW Muller Stadium
Botswana vs Mauritius (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
South Africa vs Comoros (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Angola | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Mozambique | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Malawi | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Lesotho | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | -8 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Comoros | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mauritius | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Botswana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 8
Goals scored: 26
Biggest victory: Zambia 8 Namibia 0 (Group B, December 5)
Most goals in a game: 8 – Zambia 8 Namibia 0 (Group B, December 5)
GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Gabriel Phiri (Zambia), El Shaddai Sadomba (Zimbabwe)
2 – Mapalo Simute (Zambia)
1 – Neo Bohloko (South Africa), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Zimbabwe), Clifford Chisale (Malawi), Menzi Dlamini (Eswatini), Eliseu Francisco (Angola), Jonathan Kalimina (Zambia), Killo Lino (Mozambique), Densel Liyun (Angola), James Lumbe (Malawi), Paulo Luvumbo (Angola), Valentine Macheka (Zimbabwe), Kamohelo Maraletse (South Africa), Rethabile Nqoko (Lesotho), Abel Nyirongo (Zambia), Selwyn Stevens (South Africa), Levonor Timbe (Mozambique), Emile Witbooi (South Africa)
Own goal – Milko Solunga (Namibia)
2024 GIRLS UNDER-17 COSAFA CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Group C – UJ Soweto Stadium
Zambia 3 (Chipasula 36′, Nkaka 64′, Ngabwe 90′) Botswana 0
Group A – UJ Soweto Stadium
Comoros 0 Lesotho 10 (Mampona 45’, Sooane 46’, Tholo 48′, 68’, 80’, 82′, Molete 65’, Phiri 78’, Molise 89’, Lesala 90′)
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
Group A – UJ AW Muller Stadium
Mozambique vs Eswatini (KO 09h00; 07h00 GMT)
Group B – UJ B Soweto Stadium
Malawi vs Madagascar (KO 11h00; 09h00 GMT)
South Africa vs Namibia (KO 14h00; 12h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Lesotho | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 6 |
| Mozambique | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
| Comoros | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | -15 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Madagascar | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Malawi | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Mauritius | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| Botswana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 7
Goals scored: 38
Biggest victory: Comoros 0 Lestoho 10 (Group A, December 6)
Most goals in a game: 10 – Comoros 0 Lestoho 10 (Group A, December 6)
GOALSCORERS
7 goals – Ntsamaeng Tholo (Lesotho)
3 – Leonay Kock (South Africa)
2 – Teresa Gogolo (Mozambique), Tebello Lesala (Lesotho), Boiketlo Molise (Lesotho), Itumeleng Phiri (Lesotho)
1 – Angele (Madagascar), Ana Armando (Mozambique), Mercy Chipasula (Zambia), Marie Clair (Mauritius), Judite Cumbi (Mozambique), Jiscaniah (Madagascar), Chedza Khumalo (Zimbabwe), Fatima Lali (Malawi), Louisa (Madagascar), Katlego Malebana (South Africa), Lekenyane Mampona (Lesotho), Thato Molete (Lesotho), Asimenye Mwanyongo (Malawi), Esther Ngabwe (Zambia), Anna Njere (Zimbabwe), Natasha Nkaka (Zambia), Oliva (Madagascar), Nteboheleng Sooane (Lesotho), Victoria Tennyson (Mozambique), Vola (Madagascar)
Le Mozambique gagne, le Lesotho cartonne
Le Mozambique et l’Angola ont réalisé les meilleures opérations de la troisième journée. Malgré son partage de points, les Angolais s’en tirent à bon compte puisqu’ils possèdent désormais quatre points au compteur. Ils étaient pourtant mal partis contre le Malawi en concédant le premier but par l’entremise de Lumbe à la 50 e minute. Mais Luvumbo a permis aux Antilopes Noires de recoller au score à la 69e minute. De son côté, le Mozambique a réalisé le hold-up parfait grâce à Timbe. Dans ce match pauvre en occasion contre le Lesotho, Timbe a surgi à la 90e minute pour empocher les trois points.
Dans le tableau féminin, le Lesotho a été intenable. Les Lesothanes ont taillé en pièce les Comores avant de s’imposer 10-0. Tholo a notamment été l’actrice principale de ce match à sens unique avec notamment son quadruplé. Molise ou encore Lesala ont aussi contribué à ce large succès qui rapproche le Lesotho vers le dernier carré. De son côté, la Zambie l’a facilement emporté contre le Botswana (3-0). Chipasula, Nkaka et Banda ont assuré ce succès et ont lancé idéalement la campagne des Zambiennes dans cette compétition.
Journée marathon ce samedi une nouvelle fois avec quatre rencontres au programme au tableau masculin et trois au tableau féminin. Cela nous amène à un total de sept rencontres, soit autant d’occasion pour les amateurs de football de savourer ce qui se fait de mieux en Afrique australe en matière de football pour cette tranche d’âge.
On commence d’abord par les garçons avec notamment le match entre la Namibie et l’Eswatini. Les deux formations n’ont pas encore débloqué leur compteur et s’appuieront sur cette rencontre pour tenter de le faire. Le Botswana affronte Maurice dans un match piège. Les Mauriciens ont déjà un point dans la besace et s’ils l’emportent ce samedi, ils pourront déjà penser à la suite. C’est différent pour le Botswana qui a été battu pour sa première sortie et qui doit l’emporter pour éviter l’élimination.
Il y aura aussi ce choc entre la Zambie et le Zimbabwe à 15h. Les deux équipes ont remporté leur match inaugural et voudront confirmer ce samedi pour faire un pas vers le dernier carré. C’est aussi l’ambition que nourri l’Afrique du Sud qui affrontera les Comores. Les locaux partent avec un léger avantage.
Chez les filles, le Mozambique sera aux prises avec l’Eswatini et peut enchainer la passe de deux. Les Mozambicaines ont très bien négocié leur première sortie et ne lâcheront rien pour ce deuxième match. Le Malawi aura intérêt à se méfier de Madagascar qui écrase tout sur son passage actuellement. De son côté, l’Afrique du Sud tient la corde contre la Namibie qui a été éconduit au terme de son premier match.
Moçambique vence no apagar das luzes e Lesotho “afunda” Comores
Moçambique e Angola tiveram as melhores performances na terceira jornada. Apesar de dividirem os pontos, os angolanos saem beneficiados, pois agora contam com quatro pontos.
Eles tiveram um começo difícil contra o Malawi ao sofrer o primeiro golo por Lumbe aos 50 minutos. No entanto, Luvumbo permitiu que as Antílopes Negras empatassem aos 69 minutos. Por sua vez, Moçambique fez um roubo perfeito graças a Timbe. Neste jogo com poucas oportunidades contra o Lesoto, Timbe surgiu aos 90 minutos para garantir os três pontos.
No quadro feminino, o Lesoto foi imparável. As Lesotianas derrotaram as Comores por 10-0. Tholo foi a protagonista deste jogo de sentido único, com um poker notável. Molise e Lesala também contribuíram para esta grande vitória que coloca o Lesoto mais perto das meias-finais.
Por outro lado, a Zâmbia venceu facilmente o Botswana por 3-0. Chipasula, Nkaka e Banda garantiram esta vitória e lançaram de forma ideal a campanha das zambianas nesta competição.
Este sábado será novamente um dia de maratona, com quatro jogos no quadro masculino e três no quadro feminino. Isso nos leva a um total de sete jogos, oferecendo aos amantes de futebol a oportunidade de apreciar o melhor do futebol da África Austral nessa faixa etária.
Começamos com os jogos masculinos, incluindo o confronto entre Namíbia e eSwatini. Ambas as equipas ainda não pontuaram e vão aproveitar este jogo para tentar fazê-lo. O Botswana enfrenta Maurícia em um jogo complicado. Os mauricianos já têm um ponto e, se vencerem neste sábado, já poderão pensar no futuro. A situação é diferente para o Botswana, que foi derrotado no seu primeiro jogo e precisa de uma vitória para evitar a eliminação.
Haverá também o confronto entre Zâmbia e Zimbabwe às 15h. Ambas as equipas venceram o seu primeiro jogo e procurarão confirmar no sábado para dar um passo rumo às meias-finais. Esta é também a ambição da África do Sul, que enfrentará as Comores. Os anfitriões partem com uma ligeira vantagem.
No quadro feminino, Moçambique enfrentará eSwatini e poderá conseguir a segunda vitória consecutiva. As moçambicanas negociaram muito bem o seu primeiro jogo e não vão desistir neste segundo encontro. O Malawi deve estar atento a Madagascar, que está a dominar atualmente.
Por outro lado, a África do Sul é favorita contra a Namíbia, que foi derrotada no seu primeiro jogo.
