Tanzania through to Cosafa quarters

TANZANIA qualified for a Cosafa Cup quarterfinal showdown with hosts and title-holders South Africa after a tense finish to Group A on Thursday.

The “Taifa Stars” levelled one minute after falling behind against Mauritius to draw 1-1 at Moruleng Stadium and take first place and a lasteight spot from Angola on goal difference.

Angola were denied a clearcut penalty when held 0-0 by Malawi in a match played simultaneously at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace Stadium in nearby Phokeng in the northwest platinum belt.

Tanzania and Angola took five points from three matches within five days and Mauritius and Malawi two in the southern Africa championship, in which the two group winners join six teams who received firstround byes in the quarterfinals.

Draws were plentiful and goals scarce in Group A with four of the six games ending in stalemates and only five goals scored for a meagre 0.83 average per match.

Tanzania began the final round level on four points with Angola but occupying first place on goal difference.

That situation remained until the 68th minute in Moruleng when Kevin Perticots chipped goalkeeper Aishi Manula to give Mauritius the lead, and Angola top spot.

But Tanzania hit back within one minute as Saimon Msuva equalised to restore his country to the top of the table.

Mauritian hopes of regaining the lead suffered a major blow 12 minutes from time when Damien Balisson was sent off.

Tanzania were invited to the tournament after Cosafa member Comoros declined to compete.

Angola should have been awarded a second-half penalty when Malawi goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe pulled To Carneiro to the ground with a rugby-style tackle.

The foul, which was confirmed by replays, happened in full view of the referee, who waved play on.

Man of the match, Kakhobwe, later atoned for a poor, intercepted throw by smothering a close-range shot from Vladimiro “Va” Felix.

Malawi failed to score in their three matches and came closest against Angola in the opening minutes when Dalitso Sailesi was foiled by a superb Daniel “Mira” Macuenho tackle.

Group B was to be decided yesterday with leaders Zimbabwe favoured to defeat already-eliminated Seychelles and set up a quarter-final date with Swaziland.

Zimbabwe (plus four) top the table on goal difference from Madagascar (plus two), who have a potentially tougher last mini-league game against Mozambique.

South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia received byes into the knockout phase. — AFP