Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA’s unbeaten run in the COSAFA Under-20 Championship came to an end on Friday after Mozambique defeated the Young Brave Warriors 3-0 in the semi-final at ABB Stadium, ending Namibia’s hopes of reaching the final and qualifying for the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
Namibia entered the semi-final with three wins from three matches, having scored five goals without conceding, including a 1-0 victory over Mozambique in the group stage.
The two sides met again in the semi-final, six years after Mozambique defeated Namibia in the 2020 COSAFA Under-20 final.
Mozambique took the lead after 15 minutes when Martinho Começar found the back of the net to put the hosts 1-0 ahead.
Namibia, who were without Rashid Naobeb because of a two-yellow-card suspension, struggled to find a response as Mozambique increased the pressure after the break.
Diego Pelembe doubled Mozambique’s lead in the 55th minute before Hissan Sócrates added a third goal during the final 20 minutes of the match.
The result sent Mozambique through to their third COSAFA Under-20 final.
Começar, who scored his first goal of the tournament, was named Player of the Match.
Mozambique’s victory also ended Namibia’s hopes of securing a place in the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, with the semi-final winners advancing to the final and earning qualification.
Namibia head coach Lucky Shipanga said his team had played a tactical match but was undone by defensive and technical mistakes.
“It was a very good game. A very tactical game,” Shipanga said.
He said Mozambique had identified Namibia’s strengths and capitalised on mistakes that led to the goals.
“The third goal is our own mistake,” Shipanga said. “The second one you see again, and then the third one is also only a technical mistake or defensive error.”
Shipanga said Namibia had created four clear opportunities but failed to convert them.
“But for me, I showcase these young boys and what I have to be grateful for. They were a great team,” he said.
He congratulated Mozambique on their victory. Namibia will face Zambia in the third-place play-off on 27 September.
Mozambique will face South Africa in the final, with both nations securing qualification for the U20 AFCON 2027.
Photos: COSAFA
