COSAFA Cup: Kenya out of tournament as Namibia, Angola register wins

Kenya’s U23 national football team, Emerging Stars’ journey at the 2024 COSAFA Cup came to an end, despite finishing second in Group B.

Kenya finished with six points, same as leaders Comoros who had a superior goal difference, and were banking on Angola and Namibia drawing or losing their respective last Group C matches to sneak to the semis.

Namibia advanced to the semi-finals slated for Friday, July 5, 2024, as the best runner-up across all the three groups, dislodging Kenya (six points, Group B) and South Africa (five points, Group A).

But a consolation goal three minutes from the end by Seychelles’ Brandon Labrosse changed the complexion of the pool and dropped Namibia from first place on goal-difference to second on goals scored.

Lehlohonolo Fothoane gave Lesotho the lead on 26 minutes, but when Depu slotted a penalty just before halftime, he levelled the game and moved to the top of the 2024 COSAFA Cup scorers charts alongside Namibia’s Bethuel Muzeu with a third goal in the competition.

Vidinho then netted a second for the Angolans on 63 minutes to ensure they would advance to the knockout rounds, before Miro added a second penalty late on to net his side’s third goal.

In the semis, Comoros will take on Angola in the first game at 15h00 CAT, before Mozambique do battle with Namibia in the second game at 18h00 CAT. Both matches will be played at the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Entrance will be FREE with tickets for available at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ticket office on a first come, first served basis.