Amajita, South Africa's under-20 team, has successfully defended their COSAFA U20 Men's Championship title. In the final match, they defeated host nation Mozambique with a score of 2-1. The match took place at the ABB Stadium in Matola, where a crowd of approximately 18,000 fans supported the home team. Goals from Oarabile Booysen and Steven Mendes secured the win for Amajita.
The match was a closely contested one, with Mozambique responding through Martinho Começar. However, Amajita's determination and skill ultimately led to their victory. Steven Mendes, with his six goals in the tournament, was awarded the Top Goal Scorer Award. He surpassed Mozambique's Alirio Cuna, who scored five goals. Amajita's head coach, Raymond Mdaka, expressed his pride in the team's performance, highlighting the importance of consistency in winning tournaments.
Coach Mdaka made two changes to the team that played against Zambia in the semi-finals, bringing in Emile Witbooi and Zazi Qotoyi. Witbooi was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. The recess was delayed for nearly half an hour due to safety measures being put in place as the home fans continued to stream into the already packed venue.
Amajita's victory marked their second consecutive COSAFA U20 Men's Championship title, with the team winning all five of their matches in the tournament. They scored a total of 13 goals and conceded three, showcasing their dominance in the regional competition. Goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba was awarded the Golden Glove for his impressive performances throughout the tournament.
The win also secured Amajita's spot in the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Ghana next year. They will be one of two representatives from the COSAFA region, alongside Mozambique. SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan congratulated the team on their achievement, expressing pride in the nation's football talent.
Amajita's road to the final included wins against Lesotho, Angola, Eswatini, and Zambia. The team's performance in the tournament was impressive, with Mendes scoring two goals in the semi-final against Zambia. The team is set to return home to South Africa on Monday, with an expected arrival time of 08:30 in Johannesburg.
The tournament awards saw Steven Mendes take home the Golden Boot, while Takalani Mazhamba received the Golden Glove. Alirio Cuna of Mozambique was named the Player of the Tournament. The Fair Play Award was given to Namibia. With this victory, Amajita has solidified their position as a dominant force in regional football.
Key points
- Amajita retained their COSAFA U20 Men's Championship title by defeating Mozambique 2-1 in the final.
- Steven Mendes was awarded the Top Goal Scorer Award with six goals in the tournament.
- Amajita secured their spot in the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, to be held in Ghana next year.
