Africa-Press – Angola. The Zambian team, leader of the ranking of the tournament’s winners, seeks in this edition of the COSAFA Cup in U-20 football, in the men’s class, to win the 12th trophy.
First winner of the competition reserved for players under 20 years old, from the southern region of the African continent, that in 1983, the Zambian team is in ESwatini to try to recover the trophy lost in 2020 to the Mozambicans, champions in title, in a mission that seems thorny, as at stake will also be the search for one of the two spots in the area for next year’s African Cup of Nations (CAN), in Egypt.
The Zambians won the first trophy in 1983, having been dethroned by the Zimbabweans in the 1985 edition. However, the Chipolopolozinhos would regain the title in the competition played in 1986. The other achievements of the Zambian team were in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999 , 2003, 2010, 2011, 2016 and 2019.
The second position in the ranking is occupied by South Africa. The South Africans surpassed in terms of conquests the similar one of Zimbabwe, selection that shared the domain of the competition with the hendecachampion Zambia, despite having started to participate in the event only in 1993, that is, the Apartheid system, which was in force at the time. in South Africa, caused them to be excluded from world sporting competitions until 1992.
The South Africans won the competition trophy for the first time in 2000. The seven other achievements were in the 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2018 editions.
Zimbabwe, the tournament’s first two-time champion, occupies the third position of the champions table with six victories. The Zimbabweans lifted the first trophy in 1985, in the second edition, after dethroning the Zambians. The five other achievements took place in 1988, 1990, 2001, 2002 and 2007.
Madagascar (2005) and Mozambique (2020), both with one title each, are also part of the gallery of champions of the COSAFA Cup in Under-20 football in the men’s class.
Zambia can confirm passage to “half”
Things are practically set in terms of the classification of Group A of the Cosafa-2022 Under-20 Tournament. After Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Eswatini, only a miracle can keep Zambia out of the semi-finals. Chipolopolo play, today, at 2:30 pm, at Mavuso Stadium, with Botswana, needing a draw to confirm their already imminent presence in the next stage of the competition.
Despite two consecutive victories (3-0 against Mauritius and 2-0 against Eswatini), Chipolopolo cannot think that things are already settled and allow themselves the luxury of losing today’s match, under penalty of jeopardizing the your walk so far undefeated. Best selection of the series, and unwinding good football, the task may not be as if it were a mere walk, since they play with the runner-up, with three points and that they will do everything to accumulate another three and be equal on points with the Zambians. With this scenario of a six-point tie, only the final accounts would define who would go ahead.
Therefore, our neighbors in the East are left to draw or win and thus “kill the evil in the bud”.
The Zambians are favorites and on “yes” they have a team and framework to claim victory or, perhaps draw, a result that, despite ensuring continuity in the competition, in itself, would already be “half” surprise.
The last round of Serie A will be played at the same time. Therefore, at Somhlolo Stadium, also at 2:30 pm, Eswatini and Mauritius will be playing a challenge that only the home team is interested in, as they have three points and chances, albeit remote, of qualifying for the other phase, depending on the result. from Zambia. Even so, dreaming is not forbidden for the hosts who, on the field, will do their part.
Mauritius Islands are already eliminated, the most they can do is win or draw and thus avoid the shame of having left the competition without any point.
Lesotho selection similar lintel from the Seychelles Islands
The Lesotho team defeated, yesterday, the similar team from the Seychelles Islands, by 1-0, in a match referring to Group B, and is in the third position, with (3) three points and their opponent, in the fourth, without any point.
In group C, South Africa (2nd, with 3 points) beat Namibia (4th, without points), by 5-2 and the Comoros (1st, with 6 points) defeated Malawi (3rd, with 3 points), by 2-0.
In Group A, played on Sunday, Zambia (1st, with 6 points) beat Eswatini (3rd, with 3), by 2-0 and Botswana (2nd, with 3) beat Mauritania (4th without points), by 1-0.
Angola, for the third round, will face tomorrow, Wednesday, the 12th, the Seychelles Islands. Mozambique plays Lesotho, for Group B. Also on Wednesday, for Group C, South Africa will face Comoros, Namibia will play Malawi.
Today, Tuesday 11th, for Group A, Zambia will face Botswana, and Eswatini will play Mauritania.
Mozambique is the holder of the proof. This edition is a qualifier for the next African Championship of the category, which will take place in 2023, in Egypt.
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