Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique off to winning starts

Namibia, Zambia and hosts Mozambique made winning starts to their campaigns at the TotalEnergies CAF under-20 Africa Cup of Nations | Cosafa Qualifier Mozambique 2026 on Friday as the battle for places at the continental finals got under way in Maputo. Namibia edged Mauritius 1-0 in the opening Group A fixture at the Zimpeto Stadium before a late brace from Billy Daka handed record 12-time regional champions Zambia a 2-0 victory over Malawi in Group C. Hosts Mozambique complete Friday’s programme when they defeated Seychelles 4-1 in the second Group A fixture at the Zimpeto Stadium. The 12-team competition runs until September 27, with the three pool winners and the best runner-up advancing to the semi-finals. The two finalists will qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2027. Namibia made the perfect start as captain Lukas Sakeus scored the only goal of their clash with Mauritius in the 43rd minute. The Young Warriors had been searching for the breakthrough in a tight opening period and found it just before the interval when Sakeus struck to put his side ahead. Mauritius attempted to find a route back into the contest after the break, but Namibia held firm to secure all three points and an early advantage in Group A. Namibia will next face hosts Mozambique on Sunday, while Mauritius will look to bounce back when they meet Seychelles earlier on the same day. Zambia were made to work hard for their victory over Malawi, with the contest remaining goalless until the final 10 minutes. The Junior Chipolopolo eventually found the breakthrough in the 80th minute when Daka struck to give them a 1-0 lead. Malawi pushed for a way back into the contest, but Daka made the points safe eight minutes into stoppage-time with his second goal to complete a brace and seal a 2-0 victory. The win was also a measure of revenge for Zambia after Malawi had beaten them 2-1 in the semi-finals of the 2025 regional championship in Namibia. Mozambique fell behind early on against Seychelles as Eriano Rajabary put the visitors ahead. But Mozambique’s quality shone through as Fanuel Macuácua equalised, and Alírio Cuna netted a brace. The cherry on top came with a fourth goal from Faizal Abdala. Zambia have been the dominant nation in the history of the Cosafa under-20 competition with 12 titles, but have not lifted the trophy since 2022 and will hope this opening victory provides the platform for another strong campaign. Saturday brings another triple-header at the Zimpeto Stadium, with defending champions South Africa beginning their bid for a third successive regional crown when they face Lesotho in Group B at 12h00 CAT. South Africa won the regional title in Mozambique in 2024 before successfully defending their crown in Namibia last year, when they defeated Malawi 3-0 in the final. Angola and Eswatini meet in the second Group B fixture at 15h00 CAT. Angola have been among the most consistent sides in the competition in recent years and reached the semi-finals again in 2025, while Eswatini will be eager to make a positive start as they seek a first knockout appearance since 2002. Comoros and Botswana round off Saturday’s programme with their Group C clash at 18h00 CAT.