South Africa U20 side defeated 10 men Mozambique 2-1 in the final of the 2026 CAF U20 COSAFA qualifiers at the ABB 1 Stadium in Matola on Sunday, defending their regional title courtesy of Oarabile Booysen and Steven Mendes goals.
The hosts’ consolation came off the boot of Martinho Comecar.The match started lively with the hosts attacking as early as the first whistle and getting into the South African box who fortunately had Takalani Mazhamba alert. Mozambique wasted opportunities with Comecar causing problems from the right flank. Comecar had a promising solo run in the 10th minute to break the dead lock but his powerful effort went over the bar.
Amajita gained possession three minutes from that, through Emile Witbooi connecting with Mendes but the latter’s shot was blocked by the Mozambican goalkeeper. Comecar continued to be a thorn for the South African defense and had a shot sail pass the Amajita goal mouth.
Amajita gave as good as they received and in the 19th minute a combination play between Egan Freese and Manelis Mazibuko ended up in Freese heading into the back of the net only to be flagged offside. They continued to poke with Mazibuko getting a clear cut chance which was saved in the 23rd minute.
Mazibuko soon missed another opportunity to just tap home but his teammates kept the ball in rotation ending with Booysen scoring a cracker of an opener in the 27th minute from outside the box. Mozambique reacted immediately with Kine Maurer finding Comecar who caught Mazhamba out of position and his defence in sixes and sevens levelling a minute later.
The closing stages of the first half saw South Africa produce half chances in pursuit to regain the leadd. Captain Lazola Maku came close however his tame effort from range landed in the keeper’s hands. Khensane Machel also missed a chance to give his side the lead with a volley attempt that hit the side of the net, leaving the game tied at 1-1 at the break.
The start of the second half was delayed by 30 minutes with the match commentator explaining it was due to the addressing of high number of spectators at the match venue. There weren’t any immediate changes from both sides. There was a chance for Amajita to get a second goal from Freese four minutes into the half but only forced the keeper to make a save.
Amajita persisted and were rewarded when Witbooi was fouled in the box by the goalkeeper earning his side a penalty. Mendes stepped up and converted to help South Africa regain the lead and secure the golden boot with his sixth goal of the tournament in the 58th minute. Mozambique did not give up and kept looking for an equaliser with Mazhamba producing a super save to deny Hissen Socrate in the last 20 minutes while Diego Pelembe shot wide.
In the end Raymond Mdaka’s charges held on and secured victory but for Mozambique they ended the game with 10 men after Milton Macumbe was sent off for rough tackle on Mendes. Both Amajita and Mambinhas will represent COSAFA at the U20 continental finals in Ghana next year.