South Africa retain COSAFA U20 crown with victory over Mozambique

South Africa successfully defended their TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA Qualifier title after defeating hosts Mozambique 2-1 in Sunday’s final, capping a flawless campaign with five wins from five matches.

Goals from Oarabile Booysen and Steven Mendes ensured Amajita claimed back-to-back regional titles and secured qualification for the 2027 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana alongside runners-up Mozambique.

The tournament concluded with Zambia claiming the bronze medal after a convincing 3-0 victory over Namibia in the third-place play-off, bringing the competition to an end after 22 matches and 73 goals.

Booysen and Mendes seal the title

South Africa struck first in the 28th minute when Booysen unleashed a spectacular long-range effort to give his side the lead.

Mozambique responded almost immediately, with Martinho Comecar levelling the score just two minutes later to lift the home crowd’s hopes.

The decisive moment arrived in the 58th minute when Mendes calmly converted a penalty to restore South Africa’s advantage, and Amajita held firm to secure the trophy.

The Kaizer Chiefs forward finished the tournament with six goals to claim the Golden Boot, adding to the two penalties he converted in South Africa’s 4-2 semi-final victory over Zambia.

Mozambique’s frustrations were compounded in stoppage time when Milton Macombe was sent off after stamping on Mendes’ arm while the South African forward was on the ground.

Perfect campaign for Amajita

South Africa ended the tournament with 13 goals scored and only three conceded.

They opened their campaign with three consecutive clean sheets before overcoming Zambia and Mozambique in the knockout stages to complete an unbeaten run.

For Mozambique, reaching the final represented a remarkable achievement after recovering from a 1-0 group-stage defeat to Namibia.

The hosts squeezed into the semi-finals as the best runners-up, edging Angola on Fair Play points after both teams finished level on six points with identical goal records.

They then avenged their earlier loss to Namibia with a commanding 3-0 semi-final win, courtesy of goals from Comecar, Diego Pelembe and Hissen Socrate.

Despite falling short in the final, midfielder Alírio Cuna was named Player of the Tournament after scoring five goals, finishing one behind Mendes in the scoring charts.

South Africa goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba received the Golden Glove award, while Namibia earned the Fair Play Award.

Zambia finish on the podium

Earlier on Sunday, Zambia recovered from their semi-final disappointment to secure third place with a comfortable victory over Namibia.

Gift Mumbi opened the scoring shortly before half-time, before Sipho Muntanga doubled the lead midway through the second half.

Muntanga added his second in stoppage time to complete a 3-0 win and seal the bronze medal for the Junior Chipolopolo.

Zambia ended the competition with four victories from five matches, having won all three group games before losing to South Africa in the semi-finals.

Namibia impressed during the group stage by winning all three matches without conceding, but back-to-back 3-0 defeats to Mozambique and Zambia saw their campaign end without a podium finish.

South Africa and Mozambique will now shift their focus to the 2027 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana after securing the COSAFA region’s two qualification places.