In Sunday’s 2025 final at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, Angola defeated the hosts, South Africa, 3-0 to retain their COSAFA Cup title.
With their consecutive victories, Angola now has five COSAFA titles, tied with South Africa and only surpassed by Zambia (seven) and Zimbabwe (six).
Midway through the first half, Ime Okon’s looping header bounced off the crossbar and out to safety, giving South Africa a near-goal.
It was Angola who took the lead when Depu’s thunderous header from a free kick gave them a single tournament record seventh goal. Ovidy Karuru, who scored six goals for Zimbabwe in 2017, held the previous record.
Zini crossed low into the box to give his team a 2-0 lead and increase his season total to eight goals, but the Angolan was not finished, and shortly after the hour, he side-footed in from ten yards out.
Depu won back-to-back Golden Boots, extending his career goal total in the COSAFA Cup to 13. That is four more than Felix Badenhorst of Eswatini, who came in second.
Comoros Completes Best Ever Finish.
Milson’s excellent free-kick strike gave Angola a late third goal to make it 3-0 and end the home team’s hopes.
After defeating Namibia 5-0 in the 2024 final, Palancas Negras put on another outstanding display.
Meanwhile, in the third-place play-off, Comoros defeated its neighbouring island, Madagascar, 1-0 to win the bronze medal. Their best-ever result in the COSAFA Cup.
Ibroihim Youssouf’s tap-in at the back post in the 77th minute gave Comoros their lone goal of the match, despite Madagascar controlling possession and opportunities.
Youssouf was on hand to score after Comoros led a brief break, and Kassim Hadji was put into space. He then crossed the ball low into the penalty box.
Youssouf’s goal extends his lead as Comoros’ leading scorer in the regional competition and is his seventh goal in the COSAFA Cup.
The Golden Glove for top goalkeeper went to Neblu, a fellow countryman, while Depu took home the Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot awards. South Africa won the Fair Play award.
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