Mozambique were the biggest winners on day one of the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup 2025 as they defeated hosts South Africa, while Mauritius held Zimbabwe to a 0-0 draw at the Toyota Stadium on Wednesday.
Mozambique put in a superb second-half display as they defeated hosts South Africa 1-0 thanks to a winner by Antonio Sumbane.
The Mambas get the win in their #CosafaCup2025 opener against Bafana Bafana 🇲🇿🇿🇦#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/dUmVOfalaZ
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 4, 2025
Sumbane turned the ball into the net at the back post after South African failed to clear a delivery across the six-yard box, earning his side a precious three points and top spot after round one in Group A.
Mozambique also had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, while South Africa missed several chances to earn at least a point.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has been introduced from game one for the first time in this year’s competition, the first time on the African continent for a regional competition.
Mauritius held Zimbabwe to a goalless draw in the second game of the day and might count themselves unfortunate after VAR ruled out a goal for a handball.
It ends all square between Mauritius and Zimbabwe in the final match of the day🇲🇺🇿🇼#CosafaCup2025 | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/ej1uDedqOD
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 4, 2025
Mauritius put in an excellent display that will have surprised the six-time champions Zimbabwe, and were good value for their point.
The action continues on Thursday when the opening two matches in Group B are played at the same venue.
Malawi take on Lesotho at 3pm CAT, while defending champions Angola face Namibia at 6pm.
That second fixture is a repeat of last year’s final that was one 5-0 by Palancas Negras.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Group A – Toyota Stadium
South Africa 0 Mozambique 1 (Sumbane 73’)
Mauritius 0 Zimbabwe 0
THURSDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B – Toyota Stadium
Malawi v Lesotho (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Angola v Namibia (KO 18h00; 16h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
GROUP A P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Mozambique 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
Mauritius 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Zimbabwe 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
South Africa 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
GROUP B P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Angola 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lesotho 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Malawi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Namibia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GROUP C P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Eswatini 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Madagascar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tanzania 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GROUP D P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Botswana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Comoros 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Zambia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 2
Goals scored: 1
Biggest victory: South Africa 0 Mozambique 1 (Group A, June 4)
Most goals in a game: 1 – South Africa 0 Mozambique 1 (Group A, June 4)
GOALSCORERS
1 goal – Antonio Sumbane (Mozambique)