A determined Amajita made it back-to-back COSAFA U20 Men’s Championships when they beat a spirited Mozambique who enjoyed the backing of about 18 000 fans at the ABB Stadium in Matola on Sunday.
The South Africans won 2-1 with goals from Oarabile Booysen – a stunner that gave the goalkeeper no chance – and a second from the spot courtesy of Steven Mendes, who converted the winner to take his tally to six in the tournament. In the process, the prolific marksman claimed the Top Goal Scorer Award ahead of Mozambique’s Alirio Cuna, who scored five.
The home had side responded through Martinho Começar, but it was not to be as Amajita continued where they left off two years to be crowned regional champions again.
“You need consistency of some kind, and yes, it will not be easy but sometimes when you win you need to maintain that consistency of winning, winning and winning. It says to the country that you have got the talent when given time and the opportunity to prepare, we can do better. It’s a blessing to have this kind of talented players. Even in the previous edition, honestly, we had very good players and I’m happy we have got an opportunity now to make a better team compared to the one that we came with here,” said Amajita Head Coach Raymond Mdaka.
“But keeping the trophy, taking it back home where it was for the whole season is something else and I really appreciate and give credit to the boys and every supporter who gave us energy almost every day.”
For the Mozambique clash, the Amajita mentor had made two changes to the team that ran out against Zambia in the semi-finals, bringing on crowd favourite Emile Witbooi and Zazi Qotoyi in place of Matthew Palmer and Sanele Simelane.
With the scores level at 1-1 apiece at the break, the recess was delayed for close to half an hour as safety measures were put in place when the home fans were still streaming in at an already packed venue.
But the South Africans braved the huge crowd and claimed victory, with Witbooi taking the Player of the Match accolade.
“It was a very tough game, and you can even see the margin of the score, it was 2-1. You would have thought of maybe a 1-1 or so. It was tough and they (Mozambique) were also coming but we felt we had the edge in terms of keeping the ball and going to the goalposts. But credit to the boys, tournaments like these need that character, and that mentality. We are not only coaching technically and tactically, we are also coaching mentally so that when we face challenges they’re able to withstand (whatever comes their way).”
“This is such a great achievement. Congratulations to HOD Solly Mkhabela, Coach Raymond Mdaka, the Technical team and the players. We are tremendously proud as a nation,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.
South Africa leave the tournament without defeat – a repeat of the last edition – winning all their five matches against Lesotho (3-0), Angola (2-0), Eswatini (2-0), Zambia (4-2) and Mozambique (2-1). The regional champions scored 13 and conceded three, leading to Amajita shot stopper, Takalani Mazhamba, to be named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
The home side had something to smile about because other than the silver medals, Cuna took the Player of the Tournament award. By progressing to the final of the regional tournament, both South Africa and Mozambique had already secured their spots in the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be played in Ghana next year and will be two representatives of the COSAFA region.
CAF U20 Men’s Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA qualifiers:
South Africa’s Road to the Final:
[Group Stages]
South Africa 3 – 0 Lesotho
(Steven Mendes x2, Teboho Mlangeni)
South Africa 2 – 0 Angola
(Lazola Maku, Steven Mendes)
South Africa 2 – 0 Eswatini
(Manelis Mazibuko, Milimo Nalumango)
[Semifinal]
South Africa 4 – 2 Zambia
(Steven Mendes x2, Oarabile Booysen, Emile Witbooi)
[Final]
South Africa 2 – 1 Mozambique
(Oarabile Booysen, Steven Mendes)
TOURNAMENT AWARDS:
Golden Boot:
Steven Mendes
(South Africa) – 6 goals
Golden Glove:
Takalani Mazhamba
(South Africa)
Player of the Tournament:
Alírio Cuna
(Mozambique)
Fair Play Award:
Namibia
