South Africa clinch fourth COSAFA U17 title with hard-fought 2-1 win over Angola

The South Africa U17 national team has been crowned Champions of the COSAFA U17 Cup of Nations following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Angola.

The final of the youth tournament serving as qualifiers for the CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026 was played on Saturday at the Ngoni Stadium in Harare.

They will be joined by Angola and Mozambique, who also qualified from the tournament. Mozambique sealed the final slot with a convincing 3-0 win over 10-man Comoros in the third-place playoff.

South Africa got off to the perfect start in the final, striking in the fifth minute when Omphemetse Sekgoto slotted home to register the first goal Angola had conceded all tournament.

Backed strongly by Zimbabwean supporters in the stands, South Africa controlled much of the play in the opening half, while Angola’s best chance fell to Jairo Muanga, who missed just before the break.

The second half saw Angola introduce their star striker, Pedro Antonio, the competition’s top scorer. He immediately made an impact, pulling his side level in the 67th minute with his eighth goal of the tournament.

Angola pressed for a winner, but South Africa kept their composure and found the decisive moment late on. Substitute Siyabonga Mbongo coolly finished past goalkeeper Gelson Dala in the 79th minute to seal a 2-1 triumph.

The result means South Africa now draws level with Zambia as the most successful nation in COSAFA U17 history, each boasting four titles.