Eswatini………………….3
Gama 13th, 90+1st, Malaza 42nd
Lesotho………………….2
Kalache 30th, Tuoane 90th
MATSAPHA-Eswatini Under-20s edged Lesotho 3-2 to remain in contention in the TotalEnergies AFCON/COSAFA Qualifiers on Monday evening.
The game was staged under dark ABB Stadium skies in Mozambique.
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Qualifiers match was played at the ABB Stadium in Mozambique. The result keeps Eswatini firmly in the hunt ahead of their final pool fixture against South Africa on Wednesday, September 23 while Lesotho remain without a point after two matches. This is after they moved onto three points following a dramatic victory as they bounced back from their opening 4-0 defeat to Angola.
Young Buffaloes teenage sensation Njabulo Gama handed Eswatini the lead in the 13th minute, but Lesotho hit back through Lekanyane Kalache on the half-hour mark. Meanwhile, Andiswa Malaza of Royal Leopard restored Eswatini’s advantage three minutes before half-time and they held that lead until the dying stages.
Kabelo Tuoane appeared to have earned Lesotho a point when he equalised in the 90th minute, but there was still another twist as Gama struck again a minute into stoppage-time to seal a dramatic victory for Eswatini and complete a brace. His performance earned him the Player of the Match Award.
Notably, Zambia became the first team to book their place in the semi-finals of the Total Energies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations/ Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Qualifiers today, while defending champions South Africa took control of Group B with a 2-0 victory over Angola.
Record 12-time regional champions Zambia cruised to a 3-0 success against Comoros to make it two wins from two in Group C, while Malawi revived their hopes with a victory by the same scoreline over Botswana.
South Africa also maintained their perfect start as goals from Lazola Maku and Steven Mendes saw them defeat Angola.
The 12-team competition runs until September 27, with the three pool winners and the best runner-up advancing to the semi-finals. The two finalists will qualify for the Total Energies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2027.
South Africa now have six points from two matches, with five goals scored and none conceded, while Angola remain on three points alongside Eswatini in Group B.
Attention switches back to Group A on Tuesday, September 22, where all four teams remain interested in the race for the semi-finals.
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