Windhoek , Namibia | Botswana became the first team into the semifinals in the women’s Under-20 football tournament at the Region 5 Games on Sunday, as it was a good day for the hosts with both the men’s and women’s Namibian sides posting victories in Windhoek.
In the men’s competition, Namibia made a fast start to their clash with Zimbabwe and were 2-0 up inside 13 minutes. Suveree Kauzuu curled a beautiful shot from the edge of the box into the far top corner, before Rashid Naobeb took advantage of a poor clearance that fell to him on the edge of the box and he rifled his shot into the back of the net.
But Zimbabwe fought back. Takudzwa Darkeni’s shot somehow eluded the home
goalkeeper and ended up in the far corner, and the unfortunate Mcheni Kavendji could do nothing as the ball deflected off him and into the Namibia net for 2-2.
That was the way it stayed until the final 17 minutes when Naobeb grabbed his second, again rifling in a powerful shot from the edge of the box. The result means Zimbabwe are eliminated from the competition.
Malawi hit the front on 17 minutes in their 1-1 draw with Angola as Mwisho Mhango scored his second goal of the tournament with a low drive from the edge of the box. He was the star of the show in the win over Zimbabwe in their opener and was at it again.
But Angola were level four minutes into injury-time at the end of the first half as Malawi failed to clear a free-kick into the box and Marcelo Faustino turned the loose ball into the back of the net. That was the way it stayed.
The Group B action in the men’s tournament continues Monday at the UNAM Stadium.
Zambia played to a 3-3 draw with South Africa in their opener on Saturday and take on Eswatini in their second fixture (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT).
South Africa, who are defending COSAFA U20 champions, have a clash against Botswana at the same venue at 15h00 (13h00 GMT).
Meanwhile, Botswana booked their place in the semifinals of the women’s competition with a 1-0 win over Malawi.
It is a second victory in a row and once again Hope Lesotlo was their heroine as she grabbed the winner of 57 minutes. They cannot finish outside the top two in Group A.
Namibia defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in the second game in the day as Ontheedite Tokwane netted the winner midway through the second half.
The Group B action in the women’s competition continues Monday at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
South Africa face Eswatini in the opening game at 12h00 (10h00 GMT) having lost their opener to Zambia on Saturday. They will want to bounced back with a win, as will Eswatini, who lost 4-2 to Angola.
Zambia and Angola then clash at 15h00 (13h00 GMT) in the other fixture on Monday. A win for either and they will have at least one foot in the semifinals.
Sunday also saw see a special 7-a-side match labelled the Special Olympics Unified Sports Experience at Hage Geingob Stadium.
The Special Olympics Unified Sports Experience is an innovative model of inclusion that brings together dignitaries and Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities to play together, showing the way to end discrimination on and off the field.
The match saw dignitaries from governments across Southern Africa face Special Olympics athletes in a show of unity.
