Angola and Namibia get crucial wins in Group C, but Seychelles and Lesotho are still alive

Angola and Namibia produced crucial wins in Group C at the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup 2024 on Monday, but Seychelles and Lesotho are still alive in an intriguing pool.

Angola led early on against Seychelles but then had to come from behind to gain a 3-2 victory in a thrilling fixture, denying the islanders what would have been just their second ever win at the COSAFA Cup.

Depu put Angola ahead inside nine minutes, but Johan Gamatice equalised for Seychelles to send the teams into the break level at 1-1.

Brandon Labrosse then had Seychelles ahead within a minute of the re-start, but Depu equalised just before the hour-mark and Maestro lived up to his name by scoring the winner on 79 minutes.

Seychelles have only once before scored more than their current three goals in a COSAFA Cup campaign and they still have a game to go. That was in 2008 when they defeated Mauritius 7-0, their only COSAFA Cup win, and then also netted against Madagascar.

Namibia were 2-1 winners over Lesotho in another entertaining clash played in front of a sizeable crowd.

Ivan Kamberipa put Namibia in front on 36 minutes but Lesotho found the equaliser just after halftime through Neo Mokhachane.

Namibia looked the most likely to score again and that goal arrived following a composed finish from Bethuel Muzeu.

Angola top the pool going into Wednesday’s final round of games. They and Namibia have four points and a +1 goal-difference, but Angola have scored three goals to Namibia’s two.

Lesotho and Seychelles have a point each and are not out of contention for the semifinals.  

The action continues on Tuesday with four matches, two each at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and two more at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium.