South Africa’s B national team has successfully navigated the group stage of the 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup, securing a coveted spot in the semi-finals despite being held to a goalless draw by a steadfast Mauritius side on Tuesday.
The result, coupled with Zimbabwe’s 3-1 win over Mozambique in the other group fixture, ensures Bafana Bafana B’s continued participation in the prestigious regional tournament.
The match, played at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State, was a high-stakes affair for both nations, with progression to the knockout stages hanging in the balance.
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Coach Vela Khumalo’s South African charges initiated proceedings with an aggressive tempo, eager to impose their will and seize an early advantage.
Early opportunities arose for Bafana Bafana B, notably from set-piece situations where defender Ime Okon and midfielder Aiden McCarthy both came agonizingly close to finding the back of the net.
Despite their energetic start and territorial dominance, South Africa struggled to find the clinical finish required to break the deadlock in a cagey first half that concluded without a goal.
Mauritius, renowned for their disciplined defensive setup, lived up to their reputation. Having not conceded a single goal throughout their group stage campaign prior to this encounter, they maintained a compact and organized structure that effectively stifled South African attacking forays throughout the 90 minutes. Their unwavering defensive resolve proved a source of constant frustration for the home side.
The most significant scoring opportunity of the entire match arguably fell to Mauritius in the second half, when Cooper Legrand narrowly missed converting from inside the six-yard box. This close call underscored the tight nature of the contest and how finely balanced the proceedings were.
In a concerted effort to avoid a second successive group-stage exit from the tournament, Coach Khumalo introduced several fresh legs in the second half, injecting renewed vigor into his team’s quest for a breakthrough.
Despite these tactical adjustments and an increase in attacking impetus, Mauritius remained unyielding, their defensive wall holding firm until the final whistle, ensuring the points were shared.
Fortuitously for South Africa, their progression was ultimately secured by events unfolding elsewhere in Group A. The result of the match between Zimbabwe and Mozambique saw Zimbabwe emerge victorious, a outcome that mathematically guaranteed Bafana Bafana B’s passage to the final four.
While the draw extended Mauritius’ remarkable run of not conceding a goal in the group stage, their inability to secure a win against South Africa means they bow out of the competition unbeaten but, regrettably, unable to advance to the semi-finals.
For South Africa B, the focus now shifts to preparing for a challenging semi-final clash as they aim to go all the way in the 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup.