SA U17 boys and girls team players dominate COSAFA best XI
South Africa Under 17 boys and girls national football team players have dominated the best XI for the just-ended COSAFA Championship held in Malawi.
Amajimbos have contributed five players to the best XI for the boys’ championship, which also served as the qualifier for 2023 AFCON Under-17 finals.
Skipper Benjamin Wallis, striker Siyabonga Mabena, midfielder Gabriel Amato, winger Tyer Cicero and goalkeeper Gennaro Johnson are on the list.
SIYABONGA MABENA LEADS THE BEST XI FOR COSAFA
Johnson won the Golden Gloves Award whereas Mabena was named the top scorer and the boys’ tournament best player.
The School of Excellence player netted nine goals in five games to earn the recognitions for his brilliance in all the matches played at Bingu National Stadium in the capital Lilongwe.
Zambia, who won the championship after beating South Africa 1-0, have also contributed to the line-up striker Marcel Zimba, midfielder Aaron Phiri and defender Aaron Simpasa.
FOUR BANTWANA PLAYERS RECOGNISED
The girls side Bantwana are represented in the theoretical squad by goalkeeper Casey Gordon, midfielders Gositang Motshegwe, Portia Masilela and striker Sinazo Ntshota.
Forward Ntshota won the player of the tournament gong for the girls section, bouncing back from an injury that she suffered in the first game.
She scored a hat-trick in the final. Malawi’s Rose Kadzere has a name in the squad after winning the golden boot award.
The girls’ side Bantwana beat Zambia’s Copper Princess 4-2 in the final on Sunday afternoon to win the championship.
The boys’ team Amajimbos lost 1-0 to their Zambian counterparts in the final to miss out on the title.
Striker Kelvin Phiri of Zambia struck in the 60th minute at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe to seal the championship.
Amajimbos and Zambia sailed through to the 2023 AFCON Under-17 finals scheduled for Algeria next year.
The tournament held in Malawi was part of the Region 5 Games comprising other disciplines.
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