By Moorosi Tsiane
MASERU — Four teams will battle it out for a spot in the finals of the Council of South African Football Association (Cosafa) Under-20 championships in a double-header battle of the Titans at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru today.
South Africa will play Zimbabwe in the first match with Angola locking horns with the East African tournament guests Kenya in the second tie.
In what is expected to be the hottest game of the day, tournament favourites Amajita, will face an acid test against five-time tournament champions Zimbabwe.
South Africa topped Group C — labelled the group of death — with seven points following their good start when they walloped Seychelles 4-0 then overcame defending champions Zambia 2-1.
In their last group stage game, they were held to a goalless draw by underdogs Namibia.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe easily topped Group D with a similar number of points after overcoming a scare by Swaziland then thumped Botswana by 3-0.
In the final game the Young Warriors of Zimbabwean were held to a one-all draw by Mozambique.
Amajita coach, Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, told a media briefing yesterday that although he was confident of a victory, he admitted they would face an uphill task against the Young Warriors.
“Zimbabwe is a very strong side and I know it is not going to be an easy one. But judging from my team’s brilliant displays, I can guarantee we are going to win,” Mashaba said. He pointed out though, that the title was now open and any team in the semis stood a chance of clinching the coveted prize.
On the other hand, Zimbabwean coach, Jairos Tapera, said they are no pushovers and they want to win the ultimate prize.
“We are here to compete not just to participate.
“Our aim is to win this competition,” Tapera said.