Amajita Beat Mozambique To Win Third Consecutive COSAFA U20 Championship
Amajita have been crowned COSAFA U20 champions for the third consecutive time after beating hosts Mozambique 2-1 at ABB 1 Stadium in Matola on Sunday afternoon.
South Africa have now joined Zambia as the only teams to win the COSAFA U20 Cup three times in a row. The Junior Chipolopolo won four consecutive titles between 1993 and 1999, while Amajita were crowned champions in 2024 and 2025 before successfully defending their title this year.
Amajita started the match on the front foot and thought they had taken the lead in the 20th minute when Egan Freese found the back of the net with a header from inside the box following a right-footed cross from Manelis Mazibuko.
However, the assistant referee raised the flag for offside. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened, but after reviewing the incident, the decision remained unchanged and the goal was ruled out.
Amajita continued to dominate proceedings and eventually broke the deadlock in the 26th minute through Orabile Booysen, who produced a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box that flew into the top corner.
Their advantage, however, lasted only three minutes, as Mozambique, buoyed by their home support, found an equaliser in the 29th minute.
Os Mambas midfielder Martinho Comecar fired a left-footed effort from outside the box after Amajita goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba made an error at the back, failing to communicate effectively with his defenders.
The first half ended level, but the match was then delayed for almost 30 minutes during the half-time interval due to security concerns inside the stadium.
Despite the lengthy interruption, Amajita returned for the second half with the same intensity and tempo they had shown before the break.
Their persistence paid off in the 58th minute when Steven Mendes restored their lead from the penalty spot.
Mendes calmly converted with his right foot, sending the ball into the bottom-right corner after Mozambique goalkeeper Denilson Tembe fouled Emile Witbooi inside the box.
Mozambique came close to finding another equaliser in the 78th minute, but Mazhamba produced a crucial double save to keep Amajita in front.
The goalkeeper first denied Mozambique captain Diego Pelembe before the ball fell to Hissen Socrate, whose effort from inside the box was also brilliantly saved by Mazhamba and turned behind for a corner.
Both Amajita and Os Mambas continued to produce an entertaining contest in the closing stages, but neither side could find another goal as South Africa held on for a 2-1 victory and another COSAFA U20 Cup triumph.
The victory sees Amajita lift the title for the 11th time, leaving them just one trophy behind Zambia, who have won the competition 12 times.
Amajita will now turn their attention to the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, which Ghana will host as part of the country’s 70th independence anniversary celebrations.
Mozambique will also feature at the U20 AFCON after reaching the final, meaning both finalists from the COSAFA region have secured their places at the continental tournament.
The 2027 U20 AFCON will also provide an important route to the FIFA U20 World Cup, with the top four teams at the continental tournament set to qualify for the global showpiece.
Amajita will be looking to go all the way again in Ghana and defend their U20 AFCON crown after Raymond Mdaka’s side won the tournament in 2025.
