NAMIBIA drew 1-1 against Zimbabwe in their opening match of the U/20 Cosafa Cup competition in Botswana on Friday.
Playing in Group D at the Molepolole Stadium, about 50km outside the capital Gaborone, Namibia took a first-half lead through Blue Waters midfielder Hendrik Somaeb.Zimbabwe equalised after the break to take a share of the spoils.In another Group D match, Angola beat Madagascar 1-0 to go to the top of the group.It is likely to be a hard-fought pool between four sides who fancy themselves as among the favourites to top the group and reach the semifinals. In Group C, South Africa made a winning start at the University of Botswana Stadium in Gaborone with a 4-0 victory over Mauritius.Playing with just two players with any top-flight experience, South Africa could have been ahead inside the first three minutes had Snethemba Ngidi not blasted wildly over the top from point-blank range.But he atoned with the opening goal on 12 minutes, driving a strong shot home from the edge of the box.Letsie Koapeng was brought down for a penalty 16 minutes later, which was converted by Jerry Mxabo.Mxabo had been guilty of several missed chances from the centre-forward position before he got his second in the 65th minute, tapping home a square pass.But the best goal came in the final quarter-hour from substitute Thabani Mthembu, whose back-heel flick at the near post crowned a sweeping move involving Sanele Khuzwayo and Andile Khena. Defending champions Zambia played to a thrilling 3-3 draw with East African guests Tanzania at the same venue in the other Group C encounter.- namibiasport.com.na
