u17 Cosafa tournaments’ semi-finalists confirmed
South Africa experienced a mix of emotions in Monday’s matches at the u17 Cosafa tournaments, with the South African girls’ team surprisingly exiting the competition, while the boys’ team advanced to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF u17 Africa Cup of Nations | Cosafa qualifier in Johannesburg.
u17 Girl’s Cosafa Championship: Day 6 Round-up
The semi-final line-up for the u17 Cosafa girls’ championship was finalised on Monday, but it didn’t include the home side. They fell to Madagascar, who will take on a formidable Zambian side in one of the semi-finals. In the other semi-final, Lesotho tackles Mozambique.
Madagascar stunned South Africa, the defending champions, winning their Group B decider 1-0 to secure a first-ever appearance in the knockout phase of the u17 girls’ Cosafa Championship. Olivia Rasoamanantena netted the all-important winner for the Malagasy in the first half.
South Africa created opportunities to score in both halves, but squandered them. They also had a goal ruled out in the second half, while Katlego Malebana struck the crossbar as time ticked away.
Alda Fazitady delivered an outstanding performance in goal for Madagascar, denying several attempts from South Africa, including shots from Khwezi Khoza and Leonay Kock.
In the other group B match, Malawi saved their best for last, scoring their only win of the tournament with a stylish 6-1 victory over Namibia.
Emily Samuel opened the scoring, which was followed by Jean Fyson slotting a hat-trick, while captain Talandira Chinyamula and Asimenye Mwanyongo also netted to secure third place for the Malawians in the group, on three points.
Namibia’ grabbed a consolation goal from skipper Nancy Lebang with 16 minutes remaining in the game. Winless, they finished bottom of the standings.
u17 Boy’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations | Cosafa qualifier
The home supporters had something to shout about as the South African boys’ u17 team advanced to Wednesday’s semifinals. They’ll face Zambia in the final four at the UJ AW Muller Stadium at 15:00. That clash will be preceded by Angola and Zimbabwe, whose semifinal kicks off at 12:00.
South Africa was given a good workout by Mauritius in their final group C match, coming away with a 3-2 victory.
It had appeared as if it would be a straightforward win when the hosts raced into a 3-0 lead within the first 12 minutes, courtesy of goals from Sive Pama, Neo Bohloko, and Omphemetse Sekgoto. However, Mauritius tightened up their defences and worked their way back into the contest. Chris Mc Rabaye got the island nation on the board from a free kick, and Jean Ravina converted a penalty. but they came up one goal short of the home side.
Zambia, who will present a strong challenge to the South African team in the semi-finals, after winning all three of their group matches, were stretched by Eswatini but won 1-0 to complete their Group B assignments with a full haul of nine points. Nthasilwe Malupande scored the only goal of the match.
BOYS’ RESULTS, MONDAY, 9 DECEMBER
TotalEnergies u17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | Cosafa qualifier
Group B
Zambia 1-0 Eswatini
Group C
Botswana 1-1 Comoros
South Africa 3-2 Mauritius
Group Standings
| Group A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Angola (Qualified) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Mozambique | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Lesotho | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
| Malawi | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
| Group B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia (Qualified) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 9 |
| Zimbabwe (Qualified) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 4 |
| Namibia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 13 | -7 | 4 |
| Eswatini | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
| Group C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa (Qualified) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Botswana | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 4 |
| Comoros | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 2 |
| Mauritius | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
Wednesday’s Fixtures: 11 December
Semi-finals
12:00 – Angola vs Zimbabwe (UJ AW Muller Stadium)
15:00 – South Africa vs Zambia (UJ AW Muller Stadium)
GIRLS’ RESULTS, MONDAY, 9 DECEMBER
2024 Girls u17 Cosafa Championship
Group B
Madagascar 1-0 South Africa
Malawi 6-1 Namibia
Group C
Zambia 10-0 Mauritius
Group Standings
| Group A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Mozambique (Qualified) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Lesotho (Qualified) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 6 |
| Eswatini | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 1 |
| Comoros | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 15 | -15 | 1 |
| Group B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Madagascar (Qualified) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 9 |
| South Africa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Malawi | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Namibia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 16 | -15 | 0 |
| Group C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia (Qualified) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 18 | 9 |
| Botswana | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | -6 | 3 |
| Mauritius | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 18 | -17 | 0 |
Wednesday, 11 December, Fixtures
Semi-finals
11:00 – Madagascar vs Zambia (UJ Soweto Campus Stadium)
14:00 – Mozambique vs Lesotho (UJ Soweto Campus Stadium)
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