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South Africa completed a ‘double’ for the second year in a row as they claimed both the Boys’ and Girls’ titles at the CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier, Zimbabwe 2023 on Saturday.
Both will advance to the continental finals to be played next year having come out on top following a superb three days of schools football action in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare.
The Boys’ team defeated Malawi 3-0 on penalties after the teams had played to a 1-1 draw in a pulsating final.
Malawi took the lead on the stroke of halftime in the Boys’ final as Okestar Kanyenda scored a superb goal when he struck the ball on the volley and into the far post.
Malawi had several promising attacks but were repeatedly caught offside before South Africa made them pay.
Rhys Ferguson saw his initial shot on the volley come back off the post, but he reacted quickest to the loose ball to send it into the net and take the game to spot-kicks.
South Africa scored all of theirs, but Malawi missed each of their penalties as Amos Nyirenda struck the crossbar, and Tinga Nkhoma and James Msongole had their efforts saved by goalkeeper Sabrie Losper.
Hosts Zimbabwe claimed third place in the Boys’ competition with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Namibia in their bronze-medal match.
Looking at the girls division, claimed gold with a 3-1 victory over Botswana, who pushed them all the way.
Khwezi Khoza, who finished as the leading scorer in the competition with 11 goals, netted twice for the South Africans with a goal for livewire winger Rethabile Molefe.
Botswana’s consolation goal came from Amogelang Sebotho, who was impressive throughout the competition.
Mozambique were comfortable winners in the Girls’ bronze-medal match as they defeated Namibia 4-0.
The excellent Isabel Cuinhane scored all four goals for Mozambique in a dominant display from their side.
South Africa’s Simama Inganathi was named Player of the Tournament in the Boys’ competition, while Losper took home the Golden Glove. Teammate Rhys Ferguson and Zimbabwe’s Sadomba shared the Golden Boot having scored four goals each.
Hosts Zimbabwe also took home the Fair Play award.
South Africa’s Katleho Malebana was named Player of the Tournament in the Girls’ category, while teammates Angel Zibula won Golden Glove and Khoza the Golden Boot. Namibia won the Fair Play prize.
