COSAFA CUP: Mozambique beat South Africa, Mauritius hold Zimbabwe
Mozambique were the biggest winners on day one of the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup 2025 as they defeated hosts South Africa, while Mauritius held Zimbabwe to a 0-0 draw at the Toyota Stadium on Wednesday.
Mozambique put in a superb second-half display as they defeated hosts South Africa 1-0 thanks to a winner by Antonio Sumbane.
The Mambas get the win in their #CosafaCup2025 opener against Bafana Bafana 🇲🇿🇿🇦#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/dUmVOfalaZ
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 4, 2025
Sumbane turned the ball into the net at the back post after South African failed to clear a delivery across the six-yard box, earning his side a precious three points and top spot after round one in Group A.
Mozambique also had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, while South Africa missed several chances to earn at least a point.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has been introduced from game one for the first time in this year’s competition, the first time on the African continent for a regional competition.
Mauritius held Zimbabwe to a goalless draw in the second game of the day and might count themselves unfortunate after VAR ruled out a goal for a handball.
It ends all square between Mauritius and Zimbabwe in the final match of the day🇲🇺🇿🇼#CosafaCup2025 | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/ej1uDedqOD
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 4, 2025
Mauritius put in an excellent display that will have surprised the six-time champions Zimbabwe, and were good value for their point.
The action continues on Thursday when the opening two matches in Group B are played at the same venue.
Malawi take on Lesotho at 3pm CAT, while defending champions Angola face Namibia at 6pm.
That second fixture is a repeat of last year’s final that was one 5-0 by Palancas Negras.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Group A – Toyota Stadium
South Africa 0 Mozambique 1 (Sumbane 73’)
Mauritius 0 Zimbabwe 0
THURSDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B – Toyota Stadium
Malawi v Lesotho (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Angola v Namibia (KO 18h00; 16h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
GROUP A P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Mozambique 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
Mauritius 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Zimbabwe 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
South Africa 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
GROUP B P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Angola 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lesotho 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Malawi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Namibia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GROUP C P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Eswatini 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Madagascar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tanzania 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GROUP D P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Botswana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Comoros 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Zambia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 2
Goals scored: 1
Biggest victory: South Africa 0 Mozambique 1 (Group A, June 4)
Most goals in a game: 1 – South Africa 0 Mozambique 1 (Group A, June 4)
GOALSCORERS
1 goal – Antonio Sumbane (Mozambique)
Advertisement