Cosafa u17 semis complete 

The semifinal line-up is complete at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | Cosafa Qualifier in Johannesburg with Zambia to take on South Africa and Angola facing best runner-up Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Angola and Zimbabwe clash at the UJ AW Muller Stadium at 12h00 CAT (10h00 GMT), while Zambia and hosts South Africa do battle at the same venue at 15h00 CAT. 

The three group winners had been determined before Monday’s final round of pool games, but Zimbabwe snuck into the best runner-up place following a thrilling 4-4 Group B draw with Namibia. 

They have four points and +0 goal-difference, the same as Mozambique in Group A. But Zimbabwe have scored 10 goals in the tournament compared to the two of Mozambique. 

Out of possession, Namibia pressed Zimbabwe aggressively high up the pitch and in the midfield. In the 11th minute, left winger Adriano Gawab dispossessed central defender Garie Chibika before dribbling another to score from inside the penalty area to give Namibia a lead. 

Offensively, Namibia played direct and counter-attacking football. Central defenders played vertical and diagonal passes behind the back four so that the tall and strong striker, Brayton Paulse could run and duel before taking shots at goal. 

However, there were moments where they played through the central midfield and the diminutive attacking midfielder, Joandry Motinga played vertical passes forward. He also exchanged quick passes with Gawab to penetrate on the right flank. 

On the other hand, Zimbabwe mostly progressed up the pitch through combination play where midfielder Valentine Macheka combined with left winger Tariso Muzvowa and forward El Shaddai Sadomba to penetrate the Namibia defence. 

In the 35th minute, Valentine Macheka took a shot from outside the penalty area that was blocked by a defender and Sadomba latched onto the loose ball to level matters.

Having scored, Zimbabwe did not give Namibia the space to breathe and eventually got the lead when Valentine Macheka took a ferocious shot at goal from outside the penalty area to score in the 43rd minute. 

Seven minutes into the second half, Paulse, took advantage of a defensive error and equalized for Namibia. 

Then in the 77th minute, Zimbabwe’s Tadiwa Chakuchichi scored a goal from a rebound. Another Zimbabwean, Sadomba, netted from an Alfred Matonsi’s cross to complete his brace in the 79th minute. A minute later, Christiano Useb netted the third goal for Namibia. 

Then substitute Montgomery Karuaihe, who came on in the 86th minute, equalised for Namibia a minute later after the goalkeeper spilled the ball in the penalty area. 

In the Group C match between Botswana and Comoros, there was player-oriented pressing from both sides and there were too many fouls committed in a 1-1 draw. 

In the 75th minute, Kutlo Mananye scored an admirable free kick to give Botswana the lead. 

Five minutes later, Comoros got a free kick and Yazid Moindze delivered the ball into the penalty area where Kaylan Said headed into the net to equalize for Comoros. 

In the 75th minute, Kutlo Mananye scored an admirable free kick to give Botswana the lead. Five minutes later, Comoros got a free kick and Yazid Moindze delivered the ball into the penalty area where Kaylan Said headed into the net to equalize for Comoros. 

South Africa beat Mauritius 3-2 in their final Group C clash having led 3-0 inside 12 minutes when Sive Pama, Neo Bohloko and Omphemetse Sekgoto all scored quickfire goals. 

But Mauritius hung in there and pulled a goal back from a free kick by Chrismc Rabaye, before Jean Ravina netted a late penalty. Zambia defeated Eswatini 1-0 to claim a full haul of nine points in Group B. 

Nthasilwe Malupande scored the only goal of the game. The semifinal matches will be streamed live on FIFA+, and you can follow the action from this dedicated tournament page. 

The semi-final line-up for the Cosafa Under-17 Girls Championships was also concluded on Monday with Madagascar to face Zambia and Lesotho meeting Mozambique in the last-4 in Johannesburg. 

Madagascar stunned defending champions South Africa 1-0 in the Group A decider at UJ Soweto stadium to book their first ever appearance in the knockout phase in this age category

Oliva Rasoamanantena scored the all-important goal for Malagasy in the first half to secure progression for her side. The host nation wasted chances in front of goal in both halves, while they had a goal disallowed in the second period. 

Katleho Malebana hit the crossbar late in the second stanza as Bantwana tried to equalise. 

Alda Fazitady was also excellent in the Madagascar goals, denying South Africa several chances including attempts from Khwezi Khoza and Leonay Kock. 

Kock also had a golden opportunity to help her side steal a point in injury time, however missed the target as she hit the side of the net. 

South Africa finished second in group with six points. In the other Group A match, Malawi finished the tournament with some pride with their only win at the tournament, a 6-1 victory over Namibia. 

Emily Samuel opened the scoring with Jean Fyson adding a hat-trick, captain Talandira Chinyamula and Asimenye Mwanyongo contributed the other goals as they finished third with three points. 

Namibia’s consolation came from skipper Nancy Lebang with 16 minutes to go and they finish at the bottom with no points. 

Meanwhile, Zambia were ruthless against Mauritius in their last Group C game putting 10 past Mauritius without reply to finish first in the pool with nine points in Soweto. 

Player of the Match Masela Sekeseke scored four goals to take her tally to six in the tournament. Mercy Chipasula contributed a brace making it five goals for the captain at the event, Natasha Nkaka now has three goals after scoring a brace on Monday. 

Grace Phiri was also on the score sheet with a sole goal which took her tally to three while Nasaina Tahiajee unfortunately scored into her own net. In the other Group C match Botswana defeated Zimbabwe 3-1 to finish second in the group with six points at UJ AW Muller stadium. 

It was Zimbabwe who drew blood first through Alicia Chinyoka in the 24th minute and that was cancelled by Shirley Tokonyane three minutes to the break, while Hope Lesotlo scored at the stroke of halftime to give Botswana a 2-1 lead at halftime. Keotshepile Kesetse sealed the victory for Botswana just after the hour mark. – Cosafa.com