South Africa and defending champions Angola have booked their semi-final 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-4, while Angola will clash with the top side in Group C. Both those pools will be completed on Wednesday.
South Africa advanced to the semi-finals 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 Mauritians 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.
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 15h00; 13h00 GMT), 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 the same scenario in Group D, where Botswana take on Zambia at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT).
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. All games will be streamed live on FIFA+, and you can follow the tournament at the dedicated Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup 2025 page. – cosafa.com
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