Football: Cosafa Under-17 Championship - Seychelles lose opening match to South Africa |25 July 2016

Seychelles have lost 0-1 to South Africa in their opening group A match of the 2016 Council of Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) Under-17 Championship on Saturday.

At the Stade Anjalay in Belle Vue Maurel, Mauritius, on Saturday, Siphamandla Ntuli scored South Africa’s winning goal in the 36th minute.

Seychelles’ starting 11 included Gino Pleureuse, Mathew Basset, Churchill Rose, Stan Esther, Brandon Molle, Ryan Henriette, Julius Joseph, Brandon Fanchette, Darren Dogley, Juninho Mathiot and Emmanuel Lesperance.

The country’s team were to play South Africa on Friday but because of a waterlogged pitch at the Stade Georges V in Curepipe, the organisers had to change the venue and kick-off time for the two group A matches.

Stade Anjalay in Belle Vue Maurel in northern part of Mauritius and matches start an hour earlier than originally scheduled.

The team’s next game is against hosts Mauritius today, a day later than the original schedule.

In the other group A match played at the same venue, Namibia claimed an excellent 3-1 victory over hosts Mauritius.

Namibia, who finished the game with 10 players, had the lead inside five minutes when the exciting Eldery Morgan bundled the ball home after a scramble in the Mauritian box.

Mauritius had their equaliser midway through the second period as Neehal Hurdoyal scored directly from a corner, much to the annoyance of Namibia goalkeeper Josef Phillipus.

And things really looked to be headed the home side’s way when Stanley Ndjavera received a second yellow card for Namibia and they were reduced to 10 men.

But within three minutes Namibia were ahead with a fine solo goal as Rivaldo Laksman dribbled his way past three defenders to slot the ball home.

And the points were made safe five minutes from time when Abram Tjahikika got a third as he converted a cross from Immanuel Isaya.

On the first day, Friday, defending champions Zambia laid down a big marker of intent as they opened their group B campaign with a 4-0 victory over Kenya in Port Louis.

Zambia were completely dominant in the game and could have had more goals had they not been so wayward in front of goal.

It was a harsh lesson for East African guest nation Kenya as they battled with the pace of the Young Chipolopolo, who have lived up to their billing as being among the pre-tournament favourites.

Zambia got a fast start when forward Nicholas Mulilo had them ahead inside four minutes, before he added a second nine minutes later with another composed finish.

Zambia were rampant by this stage and it was something of a surprise that it took them close to halftime before they scored again.  Damiano Kola got that goal and they were to net again before the break as Kunda Nkandu compounded the misery for Kenya.

Meanwhile, a late goal from Franck Chizuze saw Malawi defeat Madagascar 2-1, despite being reduced to 10 men during the second half.

Malawi probably shaved the play but fell behind when Madagascar star Fabrizio Mosa put his side in front just past the half-hour mark.

Substitute Raphael Banda equalised for Malawi five minutes after halftime, but the Young Flames had to finish the game with 10 men when Henri Chiwaya got his second yellow card.

They continued to have the better opportunities though and stole the points a minute from time as Chizuze took his chance well.

Compiled by G. G.