South Africa edge Lesotho to win U-20 Cosafa Cup

Lyle Foster of South Africa celebrates goal with teammate Katlego Ntsabeleng of South Africa (l) during the 2017 COSAFA U20 Final football match between South Africa and Lesotho at Arthur Davies Stadium, Kitwe on 16 December 2017 ©Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Dec 16, 2017. 16:15

South Africa are the new U-20 Cosafa Cup champions after defeating Lesotho 2-1 in the final at Nkana Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Amajita join Zimbabwe as six-time champions of the age-group regional tournament, having improved on their runners-up finish from 2016 when they were hosts.

Lesotho have now lost all three finals in which they have appeared, having also been beaten in 1990 and 2005.

South Africa got off to a flyer when Lyle Foster netted in the fifth minute to put them ahead, and their lead was doubled shortly before the half-time break through Kamogelo Sambo.

Lesotho fought back in the second half and substitute Lehlogonolo Matlou scored direct from a free kick just before the hour mark to halve the deficit, but it proved to be no more than a consolation.

Earlier in the day, Egypt defeated Uganda 3-1 to claim victory in the third-place playoff.