The South African U20 Men's National team, Amajita, is set to face hosts Mozambique in the final of the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier on Sunday, 26 September 2026, at the ABB Stadium in Matola. The team secured their spot in the final after defeating a strong Zambian side in the semi-finals, coming back from behind to win 4-2. This victory marked their fourth consecutive win in the competition.
Coach Raymond Mdaka expressed confidence in his team's ability to complete the double, stating that they have the character to perform well in the final. He acknowledged that the team will face a tough challenge, with the home side having a strong support base. However, Mdaka believes that his players have the courage to handle the pressure and emerge victorious.
Mozambique booked their spot in the final after defeating Namibia in the semi-finals. The defending champions, Mozambique, have been impressive in the competition, with the exception of a loss to Namibia in the group stages. The final will also feature a battle between Mozambique's Alirio Cuna and South Africa's Steven Mendes, who are currently tied as top scorers with five goals each.
Mdaka emphasized that while securing a spot in the U20 AFCON was a significant achievement, the team is still focused on winning the COSAFA Cup. He acknowledged that each game comes with pressure, but the team has alleviated some of that pressure by qualifying for the AFCON. The coach expressed confidence in his team's ability to handle the pressure and represent the country well.
The Amajita team has been impressive in the competition, with a string of wins in the group stages. They defeated Lesotho 3-0, Angola 2-0, and Eswatini 2-0 to top their group. In the semi-finals, they came from behind to defeat Zambia 4-2, with Steven Mendes scoring twice.
The final will be a significant test for both teams, with the winner being crowned regional champions. The competition has provided a platform for young players to showcase their skills, and the final promises to be an exciting encounter. The teams will face off at 14h00 on Sunday, 26 September 2026.
The U20 COSAFA Cup is an important competition for the teams, with the winner earning a spot in the U20 AFCON. Both Mozambique and South Africa have already secured their spots in the AFCON, but the final will still be a significant achievement for the winning team. The competition has been closely contested, with several teams putting up impressive performances.
Key points
- Amajita secured a spot in the U20 AFCON and is now set to face Mozambique in the U20 COSAFA Cup final.
- Coach Raymond Mdaka expressed confidence in his team's ability to complete the double.
- The final will feature a battle between Mozambique's Alirio Cuna and South Africa's Steven Mendes, who are currently tied as top scorers.
