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South Africa, Angola book semifinal places in Mangaung

football10 June 2025 18:40
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South Africa and defending champions Angola have booked their semifinal places at the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup 2025 after a bumper four matches were played in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, on Tuesday.

South Africa’s nervy 0-0 draw with Mauritius was enough to see them top Group A, with a helping hand from Zimbabwe, while Angola defeated Malawi to finish top of Group B.

South Africa now await the winner of Group D in the last four, while Angola will clash with the top side in Group C.

Both those pools will be completed on Wednesday.

South Africa advanced to the semifinals after they topped their pool on goal-difference.

They had Zimbabwe to thank for their qualification after the latter defeated Mozambique 3-1 in the other match in Group A.

It meant three teams finished on four points.

Mozambique defeated South Africa 1-0 in their opener, South Africa beat Zimbabwe 2-0 and Zimbabwe beat Mozambique 3-1.

SA have a +1 goal-difference, Zimbabwe +0 and Mozambique -1, and that was the difference in the end.

Truth be told it was the Mauritius who had the better chances. They came with a strong squad with players plying their trade across Europe’s lower leagues.

They played to a third consecutive 0-0 draw in the competition but might well have won all three with better finishing.

Zimbabwe found their groove as they beat Mozambique thanks to two first-half goals from Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya and a late strike via Junior Makunike.

Mozambique, who had gone into the final round of pool games on top of the table, scored a consolation via Leonel Calsao.

Angola defeated Malawi thanks to Randy Nteka’s goal three minutes into the second half.

There was not much to choose between the sides, but that was the decisive moment.

Goals from Sisqo Haraseb, Bethuel Muzeu and Joslin Kamatuka (penalty) gave Namibia a 3-0 win over Lesotho as they finished second in Group B.

WEDNESDAY'S ACTION

The final games in Group C and Group D will be played on Wednesday, when the semifinal line-up will be complete.

Eswatini face already eliminated Tanzania at the Toyota Stadium in a Group C clash (KO 3pm;), needing a win to overhaul Madagascar at the top of the table.

A 1-0 victory would leave them level on points, goal-difference and goals-scored with the Malagasy and bring it down to Fair Play points.

Any other type of win will send them through, while a draw or defeat and they are out.

It is exactly the same scenario in Group D, where Botswana take on Zambia at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium (KO 3pm).

Zambia are already eliminated, while a 1-0 win for Botswana leaves them level on points, goal-difference and goals-scored with Comoros and brings it down to Fair Play points.

Any other type of win and they are through, any other result and Comoros will advance.

TUESDAY’S RESULTS

Group A – Toyota Stadium

Mozambique 1 (Calsao 38’) Zimbabwe 3 (Ngwenya 27’, 36’pen, Makunike 90+5’)

Group A – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

South Africa 0 Mauritius 0

Group B – Toyota Stadium

Malawi 0 Angola 1 (Nteka 48’)

Group B – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

Namibia 3 (Hariseb 7’, Muzeu 74’, Kamatuka 83’pen) Lesotho 0

WEDNESDAY’S FIXTURES

Group C – Toyota Stadium

Eswatini v Tanzania (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)

Group D – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium

Botswana v Zambia (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)

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