HARARE-Mozambique clinched a bronze medal after after edging South Africa's Bafana Bafana 1-0 in the fight for third place of the Cosafa Senior Challenge soccer tournament in Bulawayo on Saturday.A late strike from Antonio Hagi was all Mozambique needed to see off their more illustrious opponents.
As the poorly attended match appeared to spill into the dreaded penalty shoot out, Hagi took advantage of a horrendous mistake by South Africa goalkeeper Buti Khoza to score the priceless winner with eight minutes from full timer.
Khoza made a mess of a back pass from his defender Keamohetse Wolff as he played a poor clearance that fell into the path of Luis Campira who laid the ball to Hagi. And Hagi did justice by firing in a low drive that found its way into the net.
The goal was enough to help the Mambas win the bronze medal and pocket the R150 000 prize money. For finishing in fourth place South Africa pocketed walked away withR75 000. . It was a revenge for Mozambique after they lost to South Africa in the final of the regional tournament hosted by South Africa last year. Mozambique’s Josemar Machaise was duly named man of the match. Mozambique were beaten 1-0 by Zambia in the semi-finals while Zimbabwe edged South Africa 3-2 on penalities at the same stage at Rufaro.
Post published in: Football