Football

Football
STAFF REPORTER
  • 13 Hours Ago
Angola and Malawi booked their places in the semifinals of the men’s Under-20 football competition at the Region 5 Games in Windhoek on Tuesday, while Namibia and Botswana advanced to the women’s last four.



Angola defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 to top Group A, with goals from Manuel Bernardo and Luis Panda. The Angolans produced a confident performance to edge the group on goal difference.



Malawi also sealed their place with a 2-0 win over hosts Namibia, ending the Brave Warriors’ campaign. Lameck Mithi opened the scoring late on, pouncing on a goalkeeping error and striking into an empty net from distance. Clifford Chisale then finished off a quick break deep into stoppage time to confirm the victory.



Both Angola and Malawi ended the group stage with seven points and a +3 goal difference, but Malawi claimed top spot with more goals scored (5 to Angola’s 4).



Group B in the men’s tournament will be decided on Wednesday. Zambia and South Africa are both on four points, Botswana have three, and Eswatini are already out. South Africa will advance if they defeat Eswatini in their final group game at 15h00 CAT. Should they lose, Botswana could sneak through — but only with a win over Zambia. A draw would eliminate Botswana on head-to-head.



In the women’s Under-20 competition, Namibia defeated Botswana 2-1 to top Group A. Ontheedite Tokwane opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a shot from a tight angle, before Renalda Angula doubled the advantage in the second half. Hope Lesotlo pulled one back late on for Botswana — her third goal of the tournament, putting her level with Zambia’s Bwalya Chileshe at the top of the scorers chart.



Namibia will now face the Group B runners-up in the semifinals, while Botswana take on Group A winners Zambia. Group B will conclude on Wednesday.



Meanwhile, Zimbabwe bowed out of the tournament with a 6-3 win over Malawi. Alicia Chinyoka netted a brace, with further goals from Ntokozo Mpofu, Priviledge Mashanda, Plaxina Bandason, and Merian Genti. Despite being eliminated, Zimbabwe secured third place in the group.



Malawi’s goals came from Faluna Umali and a brace by Victoria Mkwala, but they were unable to hold Zimbabwe at 3-3 as the latter pulled away late in the match.



All Region 5 Games matches are streamed live on COSAFA’s YouTube channel and FIFA+, with full match replays available 30 minutes after the final whistle in competing countries.