Mozambique to meet Zimbabwe in group final

MAPUTO – Hosts Mozambique and Zimbabwe laboured to victories over Seychelles and Madagascar respectively on Saturday to set up a final meeting in Group A of the Cosafa Castle Cup.

Mozambique took 51 minutes to capitalise on their overwhelming possession against the Seychelles, opening the scoring through Bino before going on to win 2-0. Earlier, Zimbabwe played the entire second half with 10 men but still defeated Madagascar 1-0.Debutant Bino squandered several chances before springing the offside trap to notch Mozambique’s opener.Bino then added a second from close range in the 77th minute.Zimbabwe, who fielded a second-string team, were on target after eight minutes when Kingstone Nkata stabbed home a cross from Ralph Matema.But they were forced into a rearguard action in the second half after Carrington Gomba had been sent off in the 44th minute.Madagascar, playing their first match under new coach Herve Arsene, started to pin back Zimbabwe but never created any clear goal chances.Sunday’s final winners advance to the semi-finals of the annual southern African championship.Nampa-ReutersEarlier, Zimbabwe played the entire second half with 10 men but still defeated Madagascar 1-0.Debutant Bino squandered several chances before springing the offside trap to notch Mozambique’s opener.Bino then added a second from close range in the 77th minute.Zimbabwe, who fielded a second-string team, were on target after eight minutes when Kingstone Nkata stabbed home a cross from Ralph Matema.But they were forced into a rearguard action in the second half after Carrington Gomba had been sent off in the 44th minute.Madagascar, playing their first match under new coach Herve Arsene, started to pin back Zimbabwe but never created any clear goal chances.Sunday’s final winners advance to the semi-finals of the annual southern African championship.Nampa-Reuters