There were big wins for South Africa, Angola and Comoros on day two of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier player at the ABB Stadium in Matola, Mozambique on Friday.
But defending champions Zambia had the bitter taste of defeat as their campaign got off to a difficult start with a 3-1 loss to the Angolans in the only match played in Group B.
It was Angola who scored the opener in the 27th minutes from a penalty-spot. Amado Haidara, the Angola goal poacher converted as he sent the keeper the wrong way. This was after Sekanji Siame had crowded Emanuek Gonçalves in the box.
Before the goal, Zambia’s Pascol Phiri took a well-placed free-kick from 20-yards that was pushed over the crossbar by Angola goalkeeper Domingos Da Silva.Simão Pedro volleyed home for a second for Angola after the half-hour mark from a rebound to give his side a 2-0 lead.
In the second period, Angola remained solid at the back trying to catch the opponents on a counter-attack.
Zambia’s second half substitutes combined on 72 minutes to reduce the deficit to a single goal when Mumba Mwale covered from Henry Mbuti’s cut back.
But an own goal from Fostino Chanda in referees’ optional time at the end of the game secured three points for Angola.
South Africa applied all of the early pressure in their 5-0 Group C win against Malawi but took 36 minutes to open the scoring through Shakeel April.
Malawi failed to deal with a low cross into the box and goalkeeper Innocent Kamwambi could only clear the ball against his own defender, allowing April to turn and fire into an empty net.
South Africa doubled that advantage just before halftime when April stabbed the ball into the net after Kamwambi flapped at his effort and the ball trickled over the line.
South Africa extended their advantage on 49 minutes when April beat the offside trap and unselfishly crossed for Lee Jody Ashane to tap in at the back post.
It was 4-0 when substitute Kutlwano Letlhaku raced onto a through ball and flicked the ball past the goalkeeper, before Mbekezele Mbokazi converted at the back post to make it 5-0.
A late goal from Malaik Bacar gave Comoros a 1-0 victory over Lesotho in the Group C opener.Lesotho should have at least had two goals in the first quarter of the game but poor finishing let them down.
Lesotho skipper Lehlohonolo Leemisa missed a golden chance as he failed to convert in the six-yard box, before Paseka Maile failed to beat the Comoros goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.
Comoros looked the better side after the break but their celebrations were cut short after Nassur Hassani’s 77th minute goal was ruled out for offside.
But four minutes later Bacar gave Comoros a well-deserved goal, beating the Lesotho goalkeeper at the near post to make the score 1-0.
Only the top team in each pool advances to the semi-finals along with the best-placed runner-up, with the two finalists qualifying for the continental finals that are due to be played next year.