COSAFA Group A race between Namibia and Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe and Namibia will go head-to-head for top spot in their Cosafa Cup Group A after both teams picked up wins against island nations on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe won their second match of the Cosafa Cup group stages on Tuesday afternoon, beating Seychelles 1-0 at Moruleng Stadium. Namibia are two points back after they eased past the 10-men of Mauritius with a 2-0 win.

The only goal of the Zimbabwe game came on 53 minutes from the aptly-named Talent Chawapiwa as the Warriors took control of Group A, having beaten Mauritius in the first game. Zimbabwe were worthy winners, having dominated the match in terms of possession and chances, and only the heroics of Seychelles goalie Jose Euphrasie kept the score from getting embarrassing. However, there was nothing he could do early in the second half when Chawaphiwa let rip from 35 yards out and gave the goalie no chance.

Botswana-based forward Benson Shilongo took just four minutes to get on the score sheet and settle the Namibian nerves in their encounter, before adding a second on 66 minutes from the penalty-spot. Namibia had numerous chances to add to their score, but had to settle for 2-0 in the end.

This means that Seychelles now with a third place standing in Group A and Mauritius standing in fourth place are both out of the competition to reach the quarterfinals of the COSAFA cup.

The race is now between Zimbabwe and Namibia. The two teams will clash on Thursday in the final group A matches which will also see Seychelles play against Mauritius before heading home.

With two wins already under their belts, the Zimbabwean team only need a draw to move on to the quarterfinals while Namibia must win the match, having achieved only one win and a draw in previous matches.