Luanda – Angola national under-23 team had a stuttering start in the 22nd edition of the Confederation of Southern African Football Association Cup (COSAFA2023), after drawing 1-1 with Mozambique in the first round of group C of the competition taking place in Durban.
In the Group C match played at the King Goodwill Zwellthini stadium, the early goal was scored by Angola's Benarfa (3') and equalised in the second half by Mozambique's António (83').
Angola face Mauritius on Monday, while Mozambique face Lesotho in the second matchday.
On Friday, Lesotho beat Mauritius 2-0, with goals scored by Makhachane (15') and Motebang (90+2).
On Saturday, for the Group A, South Africa face Botswana, Namibia face Eswatini, while on Sunday (Group B), Zambia vs Comoros, and Malawi vs Seychelles.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Zambia (COSAFA title holders) were stunned by Malawi, after losing 0-1, in the opening game, with Katebe's own goal (17'), thwarting the favouritism of the previous edition's champions.
Seychelles beat Comoros, 3-0, with Djambae’s goal (27'), Youssouf (39') and Bacar (58').
On Wednesday South Africa drew 1-1 with Namibia with goals scored by Human (48') and Kambindu (43'), while Botswana beat Eswatini, 1-0, thanks to Ditsele’s goal (22').
The final match is scheduled for July 16. The match for third place will be played before that.
The participating countries to this edition are looking to add another trophy in this competition of the southern African region, which started in 1997.
Zambia (title holders) leads the competition with six titles, the same as Zimbabwe (absent). South Africa comes next with five, followed by Angola (3) and Namibia (1). The remaining members will try to lift the trophy for the first time in this competition. VAB/Amp/jmc
