Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championships - Day 6

2011 Metropolitan Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championships

Day Six

It was goals galore on the sixth day of the 2011 Metropolitan Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championships in Botswana as the semifinal line-up was completed after much drama.

A total of 29 goals were scored in five matches with some superb attacking play that thrilled the local crowds in Gaborone and Molepolole.

Hosts Botswana booked their place in the semifinals with a 3-0 win over Swaziland in their Group A encounter at the Molepolole Stadium.

Needing to win by more than two clear goals in order to move ahead of Mozambique on goal-difference, the Botswana side left it late but came up with the goods when it mattered.

A brace from substitute Unobatsha Mbaiwa helped the home side to their victory, with the decisive third goal coming six minutes from time.

Botswana now advance to Thursday’s semifinals, where they will face Zambia, who thumped South Africa 5-1 to seal their spot in the Last 4 from Group C.



The Young Chipolopolo

Zambia opened the scoring midway through the first half when Evans Kangwa took advantage of some hesitant defending to toe-poke the ball home. That was the way it stayed until the 57th minute when more poor defending allowed Ronald Kampamba to intercept a back-pass and score. And it was 3-0 two minutes later when Shadreck Malambo netted to put the result beyond doubt.

Kangwa got his second just two minutes after that as the scoreline took on an embarrassing look for the South Africans, before Sanele Khuzwayo added a consolation from the spot. But there was more to come from Young Chipolopolo when Kampamba got his second and Zambia’s fifth just before the end.

In the other game in the pool, Tanzania completed their expected win over Mauritius by a 3-0 scoreline to finish in second in the group. Simon Msuvan got their opener and the third goal, while sandwiched in between was an own goal from Moedine Bradley.

Angola advanced to the semi-finals from Group D after a thrilling two matches in the pool that produced no less than 17 goals!

The Angolans came back from 3-1 down to defeat Namibia 4-3 and seal top spot and a meeting with Malawi on Thursday.

Angolan hero Nicolu Adriano got their opener, but Petrus Shitembi drew Namibia level with an excellent free-kick, before Benson Chilongo grabbed two more to put them 3-1 in front. The game turned on a penalty award and a red card though as Okeri Maekopo received his marching orders for giving away the foul and Adriano converted the spot-kick.

That made it 3-2 and the Angolans were swarming over their neighbours, getting reward as Adriano completed his hat-trick for 3-3. Paciencia Cristovao gave the Angolans the win with a fourth late on to complete a stunning come-back.

The other match in the pool between Zimbabwe and Madagascar was another humdinger that finished 5-5.

Madagascar’s goals came via Razanakoto Fiononana (two), Kassah Voavy (two) and Ratsiovoson Jonathan, while Zimbabwe netted through Munyaradzi Muchenje (three), Ronald Chitiyo and Trevor Mutero.