Malawi claimed the final semifinal spot at the Cosafa U17 Soccer Championships when they beat Lesotho 4-0 on Tuesday, December 11.
Malawi dominated the match from the start, launching most of their attacks through their left wingback Mphatso Ngwira, but their strikers were out of touch in the first half, with Andy Simukonda wasting at least three clear chances.
Lesotho managed to hold out till halftime, but their defence finally cracked when Malawi scored three goals within ten minutes after the break.
Ngwira opened the scoring when he tapped home a loose ball, while Lesley Elia made it 2-0 in the 58th minute. Barely three minutes later Simukonda scored Malawiâ??s third goal and Lawrence Milanzi wrapped up proceedings with a fourth goal two minutes from time.
The victory gave Malawi the final semi-final spot as they finished as the best runners up. They will now meet the winners of Group A, South Africa in the first semi-final at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, starting at 14h00 on Wednesday, December 12.
South Africa won all their group matches to finish at the top of Group A on six points, followed by Lesotho on three and Mauritius on zero points.
Zambia win Group B
The second semi-final between the winners of Group B, Zambia and the winners of Group C, Zimbabwe will follow at 16h00 at the same venue.
Zambia and Malawi both finished on four points in Group B, but Zambia won the group with a better goal aggregate.
Malawi and Zambia drew 1-all in the opening encounter in Group B and Malawi seemed to be heading for victory in the group when they beat Botswana 6-1 on December 9. Zambia however responded magnificently to thrash Botswana 8-0 the next day to go to the top of the group and book their semifinal spot.
Namibia out despite dramatic victory
The hosts, Namibia scored a dramatic last minute winner against Angola on December 10, but it wasnâ??t enough to book them a semifinal place.
Angola took the lead through Vidal Nsiandamba midway through the first half, but Namibia equalised through Eslin Kamuhanga immediately after the restart when they won a penalty for a foul in the box.
With Kamuhanga and Sylvester Ortmann in fine form in midfield, more chances came their way, while a cross into Angolaâ??s box by Oswaldo Xamseb had to be scrambled away.
At the other end, Angolaâ??s captain Marcio Henrique, Zaldivar Cambinda and Jose Alfredo were kept well in check by Namibian defenders, Frenkie Tjongarero, Shetu Shipena and Benson Shilongo.
The match seemed to be heading for a draw when Namibia won a freekick in the final minute. Ryan Gariseb received a quick throughball, beat the offside trap down the right wing and expertly chipped the ball over Angolaâ??s keeper into the net to send the 3 000-strong crowd wild with delight.
Zimbabwe beat Swaziland
Despite the victory, it was not enough to book Namibia a semifinal spot as Zimbabwe topped Group C after beating Swaziland 2-1 at the Khomasdal field.
Zimbabweâ??s goals were scored by Patrick Kaunda in the sixth minute and Elvis Mazivise 10 minutes later, while Patrick Zulu scored for Swaziland from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, after a foul in the box.
Zimbabwe topped the group with seven points from three matches, followed by Namibia on four points and Swaziland and Angola on three points each.