dyton mupawaenda
Sports Reporter
Zimbabwe boys’ Under-15 side stumbled in the opening match of the 2023 CAF African Schools Football Championship — COSAFA Qualifiers — that began at Gateway High School in Harare yesterday.
They were however, back in contention for a top slot ahead of the second day fixtures.
The locals rallied back from a 4-0 thrashing by Malawi with victories over Botswana (4-1) and Eswatini (3-1), thanks largely to the goal-scoring exploits of budding striker El Shaddai Sadomba who finished the day with three goals to his name.
Sadomba grabbed a brace in the victory over Botswana with the other goals coming from Tadiwa Chakuchichi and Tatenda Maulidi.
Together with Chakuchichi, Sadomba was also on target in the victory over Eswatini while the third goal was scored by Benjamin Mutyatya.
As a result, Zimbabwe were back in contention for the top slot after ending the day on six points and sitting in second place.
Their final group game against Mozambique at 10am is key for Zimbabwe survival.
But fate is no longer in their hands as they will be hoping that Malawi lose their last two group matches to Botswana and Eswatini today.
That way, Zimbabwe will enhance their chances of playing in the final tomorrow if they also go on to win against Mozambique.
But the girls had more struggles after losing two of their three games.
They succumbed to a 0-3 defeat to Malawi and then lost 0-1 to Botswana before responding in a big way courtesy of a 5-1 win over Eswatini.
Vongai Masango and Chiedza Khumalo scored a brace each while Mya Muyanduki was also on the scoresheet.
The girls are second from the bottom of the five-team pool with three points ahead of their last group game against Mozambique this morning.
There are 10 African nations taking part in the football fiesta, with 20 games played on the opening day. Another 20 pool games will be staged today ahead of tomorrow’s finals in the boys’ and girls’ competitions.
In the boys’ category, Zimbabwe and Malawi head Group A with six points though the hosts have played a game more and it is the learners from the latter who hold the upper hand.
Malawi, with several players who competed last year for Salima Secondary School, were impressive as they also recorded a 3-0 win over Mozambique, moments after thumping the home team.
It will be all to play for on day two, with Mozambique also having defeated Eswatini 2-1 ahead of today’s clash with Zimbabwe.
South Africa secured six points from their two games in Group B, though three of those were awarded after Zambia did not appear for their match with the team having not arrived in Harare by kick-off.
South Africa defeated Angola 7-0 as Rhys Ferguson scored a hat-trick in an impressive display from a side dominated by players from the Ubuntu Football Academy School in Cape Town. Namibia also have six points after they claimed an impressive victory over Madagascar (2-0) and also got a walkover result against Zambia.
Botswana top Group A in the girls’ competition after a pair of wins on the opening day over Eswatini (5-1) and Zimbabwe (1-0). Malawi have four points after they beat Zimbabwe 3-0 and drew with Mozambique (0-0) in what is shaping up to be a competitive pool.
South Africa have the lead in Group B so far after a 14-0 victory over Angola to give them the advantage at the top of the pool, having also profited from a walkover result against Zambia.
Namibia are second in the pool with four points having drawn 0-0 with Madagascar and had a walkover win against Zambia.
The top team in each of the groups will advance to tomorrow’s final, with the runners-up to square-off in the bronze-medal game.
Day 1 Results for Zimbabwe schools teams:
Boys: Zimbabwe 0-4 Malawi, Zimbabwe 4-1 Botswana, Zimbabwe 3-1 Eswatini
Girls: Zimbabwe 0-3 Malawi, Zimbabwe 0-1 Botswana, Zimbabwe 5-1 Eswatini
Online Reporter