Zambia see off South Africa as U17 Boys’ semifinal line-up complete
Marcel Zimba profited from a defensive error as Zambia claimed a 1-0 victory over South Africa to top Group B at the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON Algeria 2023 | COSAFA Qualifier in Lilongwe on Wednesday.
The semifinal line-up is now complete with Zambia to take on Botswana and South Africa to meet hosts Malawi. Both matches will be played on Friday.
The two finalists in this year’s competition each win a place at the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON Algeria 2023 in April.
After a goalless first half, Zambia took the lead when the South African goalkeeper and a defender collided chasing the ball, leaving Zimba with the simple task of putting it into an empty net.
Mozambique and Seychelles finished their Group B campaigns with a rather tame 0-0 draw that means both at least go home with a point having lost their first two matches.
Meanwhile, defending champions Zambia claimed a place in the final of the COSAFA Girls’ Under-17 Championship but were made to work hard by debutants Malawi in early play on Wednesday morning.
The teams contested a 2-2 draw before Zambia triumphed 3-1 on penalties to set up a decider against either South Africa or Botswana, who meet in the second semifinal on Thursday at 18h30 CAT.
Jessy Zulu put Zambia in front with an early penalty, but Malawi’s Rose Kadzere equalised shortly after halftime.
The Zambians were back in front when Zangose Zulu, but that joy was short-lived as competition top-scorer Kadzere netted her seventh of the campaign to level again.
However, it was the greater experience of the Zambians that shone through as they held their nerve in the shoot-out to run out victorious.
Malawi will now go for the consolation of a bronze medal against the loser in the second semifinal. That match will be played on Saturday, while the Girls’ final will be played on Sunday.
Both the Boys’ and Girls’ competitions are being played as part of the Region 5 Games Lilongwe 2022.
All matches will be streamed live on COSAFA.TV and FIFA+, and you can get a full rundown of the Girls’ fixtures right here, and the Boys’ matches here.
We will also be providing coverage across our multitude of social media platforms – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube – where we will provide news and behind-the-scenes features from Lilongwe.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
TOTALENERGIES U17 AFCON ALGERIA 2023 | COSAFA QUALIFIER
Group B
Seychelles 0 Mozambique 0
South Africa 0 Zambia 1 (Marcel Zimba 49’)
COSAFA GIRLS’ UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP
Semifinal
Zambia 2 (Jessy Zulu 3’pen, Zongose Zulu 63’) Malawi 2 (Rose Kadzere 52’ 76’) – Zambia won 3-1 on penalties
THURSDAY’S FIXTURES
COSAFA GIRLS’ UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP
Semifinal
18h30 CAT (16h30 GMT): South Africa vs Botswana – Bingu National Stadium
TOTALENERGIES U17 AFCON ALGERIA 2023 | COSAFA QUALIFIER STATISTICS
Matches Played: 8
Goals scored: 30
Biggest victory: Seychelles 0 South Africa 11 (Group B, December 3)
Most goals in a game: 11 – Seychelles 0 South Africa 11 (Group B, December 3)
STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Malawi (Q) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Botswana (Q) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Namibia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| South Africa (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 6 |
| Mozambique | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| Seychelles | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 18 | -17 | 1 |
GOALSCORERS
6 goals – Siyabonga Mabena (South Africa)
5 – Emmanuel Mwanza (Zambia)
3 – Benjamin Wallis (South Africa)
2 – Losika Ratshukudu (Botswana), Marcel Zimba (Zambia)
1 – Vincent Harrison (Malawi), Lorenzo Hoareau (Seychelles), Blessings Kanowa (Malawi), Lutetekelo Kapowa (Zambia), Dhakier Lee (South Africa), Xhosa Manyana (South Africa), Mwisho Mhango (Malawi), Bennet Mokoena (South Africa), Webster Mzunda (Malawi), Dorian Nanuseb (Namibia), Kelvin Phiri (Zambia)
Own Goal – Julius Banda (Malawi)
COSAFA GIRLS’ UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS
Matches Played: 7
Goals scored: 56
Biggest victory: Namibia 0 South Africa 12 (Group A, December 3); Malawi 12 Namibia 0 (Group A, December 5)
Most goals in a game: 12 – Namibia 0 South Africa 12 (Group A, December 3); Malawi 12 Namibia 0 (Group A, December 5)
STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 15 | 6 |
| Malawi (Q) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 3 |
| Namibia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 24 | -24 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 6 |
| Botswana (Q) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Comoros | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | -18 | 0 |
GOALSCORERS
7 goals – Rose Kadzere (Malawi)
4 – Andrielle Mibe (South Africa)
3 – Faith Chinzimu (Malawi), Lotang Ebineng (Botswana), Nobahle Mdelwa (South Africa), Harriet Matipa (Zambia), Lubasi Pumulo (Zambia), Jessy Zulu (Zambia), Zangose Zulu (Zambia)
2 – Bwalya Chileshe (Zambia), Leticia Chinyamula (Malawi), Katlo Ditsile (Botswana), Olwethu Sosibo (South Africa),
1 – Anna Baziliyo (Malawi), Tatiana Correia (South Africa), Lebogang Dilelo (Botswana), Julia Goncalves (South Africa), Mbapeua Hangara (Botswana), Suwiranji Lukondo (Zambia), Tricia Mabamba (Zambia), Mary Mbalangwe (Malawi), Chikondi Mgodi (Malawi), Khutso Mogano (South Africa), Palesa Mokopakgosi (Botswana), Gositang Motshegwe (South Africa), Esther Musialela (Zambia), Naledi Nkosi (South Africa), Sinazo Ntshota (South Africa), Ntando Phahla (South Africa)