Defending champions, South Africa retain CAF African Schools Football Championship COSAFA title

South Africa were crowned champions in both the Boys and the Girls competitions at the CAF African Schools Football Championship COSAFA Qualifier in Walvis Bay, Namibia on Sunday as they defended their title to secure a place at the finals.

The Boys beat Zambia 4-2 on penalties after they had played to a 1-1 draw, while the Girls had to come from behind as they defeated Malawi 3-1 in their decider.

It maintains South Africa’s 100% record in the competition having won both the Boys and the Girls competitions in the previous two editions in 2022 and 2023. The Girls side went on to be crowned African champions in Zanzibar in May.

Malawi will join South Africa in the Girls competition at the continental finals next year after the latter qualified as holders. But only the South African Boys team advance to the continental phase in their tournament.

Zambia’s Tenani Simfukwe was named Player of the Tournament, while Malawi’s Okester Kanyenda took the Golden Boot for his four goals scored.

Zambia’s William Zulu won the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper and South Africa took home the Fair Play award.

South Africa also retained their Girls title with a 3-1 victory over Malawi in the final. Malawi took an early lead through Rejoice Silungwe, the first goal South Africa had conceded in the competition.

But South Africa hit back almost immediately through competition top scorer Leonay Kock, who ended with a brace in the game. Lethuthando Mthembu scored the other goal for the champions.

Kock won both the Golden Boot for her 11 goals and the Player of the Tournament prize.

Her compatriot Mia Heneke won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, while Malawi took home the Fair Play award.

BOYS FINAL
Zambia 1 (Sydney Zulu) South Africa 1 (Luthando Mkhize)South Africa won 4-2 on penalties

GIRLS FINAL
Malawi 1 (Rejoice Silungwe) South Africa 3 (Leonay Kock 2, Lethuthando Mthembu)

TOURNAMENT STATS
BOYS
Matches played:  15Goals scored: 39Biggest win: Namibia 0-6 Malawi (Group A, October 11)Most goals in a game: 6 – Namibia 0-5 Malawi (Group A, October 11)

GIRLS
Matches played:  15Goals scored: 73Biggest win: South Africa 13-0 Angola (Group B, October 11)Most goals in a game: 13 – South Africa 13-0 Angola (Group B, October 11)

GIRLS
Golden Glove
Mia Heneke: South Africa 

Golden Boot
Leonay Kock South Africa (11 goals)

Player of the Tournament
Leonay Kock: South Africa 

Fair Play
Malawi 

BOYS
Golden Glove
William Zulu  Zambia 

Golden Boot
Okester Kanyenda: Malawi (4 goals) 

Player of the Tournament
Tenani Simfukwe: Zambia

Fair Play
South Africa 🇿🇦