WeeklySA_AdminREGIONAL: Zambia to represent Southern African region at continental finals next year after beating both SA boys and girls school teams in COSAFA Qualifier SA 2025 finals on Sunday…
By Own Correspondent
It was a boys and girls ‘double’ for Zambia in the CAF African Schools Football Championship/COSAFA Qualifier South Africa 2025 on Sunday after they claimed both finals in a historic triumph at the Idas Valley Sports Complex in Stellenbosch.
South Africa had won the Boys and Girls competitions in the previous three editions, but Zambia ended that run and will represent the region at the continental finals next year.
It ends a fantastic three days of football that showcased the region’s quality and the future stars that will emerge from Southern Africa.
South Africa opened the scoring in the Boys final when the Zambian keeper spilled a routine take from a free-kick, allowing a tap-in for Nasri Idris.
But Zambia equalised before halftime after a lovely through-ball played Michael Chalinda in on goal and he slipped the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.
A long ball early in the second half was not dealt with by the South African defence and Maxen Msimuko raced clear to slot the ball into the back of the net for the winner.
Zambia take home USD 100 000 (R1,7m) in prize-money and South Africa receive USD 75 000 (R1,2m).
In the boys’ bronze medal match, after a goalless first half Eswatini took the lead in the second period as Sivikelwe Sibandze headed in from close range after Malawi failed to clear the ball in the box.
But Malawi pulled level after an own goal with five minutes remaining, sending the game to penalties.
Eswatini claimed the shoot-out 4-3 to take the USD 50 000 (R850 000) prize for the bronze medal.
Zambia’s Maxen Msimuko won the Player of the Tournament prize, while compatriot Charles Sitali took home the Golden Boot after scoring four goals.
The Golden Glove for best keeper went to Zambia’s Christopher Wamudila and Malawi won the Fair Play award.
Zambia made more history by claiming the girls’ title for the first time, ending South Africa’s three-year dominance with a 1-0 victory over the hosts in the final.
Zambia took the lead in the first half after a scramble in the South African box following a free-kick that came back off the crossbar.
South Africa were unable to clear and Matildah Hambulo’s low shot found its way into the back of the net.
Zambia also claimed the USD 100 000 (R1,7m) first prize, with South Africa receiving USD 75 000 (R1,2m) again.
There was some consolation for Malawi as they took third place in the Girls competition when they defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in the bronze-medal clash.
Malawi took the lead thanks to a superb free-kick from captain Talandira Kachala, but Zimbabwe hit back through a free-kick from their own skipper, Dee Mapuwa.
But Malawi claimed the victory when Tryness Chawala fired in a low shot across goal on the run, and they go home with USD 50 000 (R850 000).
The Player of the Tournament in the Girls competition went to Zambia’s Hilda Kangwa, while the Golden Boot was claimed by compatriot Dee Mapuwa for her six goals.
Zambia’s Winfridah Mutale claimed the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper, while Malawi took home the Fair Play award.
CAF sponsor TotalEnergies provided four sets of home kits to the winners of each competition, alogn with a Sunshine 24″ TV, and a solar lighting, charging and entertainment system.
South Africa received the same donations as the host nation of the competition.
Eswatini took the bronze medal in the Boys third-place play-off after they defeated Malawi on penalties.
The CAF African Schools Football Championship has been spearheaded by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, with the Motsepe Foundation providing a USD 10-million (R170m) investment into the competition.
The current holders of the continental title in the Boys competition are Tanzania, while the Girls champions are Ghana.
The 2025 finals were played in Accra, Ghana, and the winners each walked away with USD 300 000 (R5m) in prize money. The runners-up received USD 200 000 (R3,4m), while the bronze medallists took home USD 150 000 (R2,5m).
This prize money is to be used for infrastructure development at schools, and many teams have invested in educational and sporting aids for their learners. – Cafonline
