Zimbabwe clinch semi-final spot as Botswana await their fate
Zimbabwe secured their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier on Monday after a narrow 1-0 victory over Mozambique. The win in Matola saw Zimbabwe top Group A, leaving Botswana to endure an anxious wait to see if they can progress as the best runner-up.
The decisive goal came early in the second half, with Enock Moyo breaking the deadlock just one minute after the restart.
Zimbabwe’s solid defense allowed them to maintain the slim lead against a determined but ultimately outmatched Mozambican side, who have now been eliminated from the competition.
With the victory, Zimbabwe finished the group stage on seven points, while Botswana, held to a 0-0 draw by Eswatini in their final group match, ended in second place with five points.
Eswatini, with four points, and Mozambique, who failed to register a point in the tournament, were both eliminated.
Botswana now face an uncertain wait to see if they will qualify for the semi-finals as the best runner-up.
Their fate hinges on the results of the remaining group matches in the other pools, which will conclude on Tuesday.
In Group B, Namibia and Zambia are set to face off, and the outcome of that game will have significant implications for Botswana’s hopes.
Under the competition’s rules, results against the bottom team in each four-team group are discounted when determining the best runner-up.
For Botswana, this adjustment puts them effectively on two points, leaving their semi-final hopes in jeopardy if there is a clear winner in the Namibia-Zambia clash.
A draw in that match would keep Botswana’s chances alive, though other scenarios in Group C could still impact their progress.
Eswatini, meanwhile, squandered a golden opportunity to boost their own semi-final chances in their match against Botswana.
They were awarded a penalty late in the second half after Malwande Gwebu was fouled just outside the box, though the referee ruled the contact had occurred inside, giving Eswatini a chance to seal the win.
Alakhe Mdluli stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort brilliantly saved by Botswana goalkeeper Frank Seleke, diving low to his right.
The rebound fell to Eswatini, but their follow-up effort went wide, leaving them frustrated.
While Botswana’s semi-final hopes remain in limbo, Zimbabwe will now join Angola in the next round.
Angola had already secured their place in the knockout stage, and Zimbabwe’s win over Mozambique ensures they will join them in the competition’s final four.
Despite both teams struggling to create clear chances in a tight first half, Moyo’s early second-half goal proved enough to send Zimbabwe through as group leaders.
As Botswana await their fate, the upcoming Group B and C matches will determine whether they continue their journey in the tournament or fall short of the semi-finals.
