Seychelles lose opening match 2-4 to hosts South Africa |18 November 2021

Seychelles have lost their opening group A match of the 2021 Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship.

On day one of the championship yesterday, coach Don Anacoura’s team lost 2-4 against hosts South Africa at the South Beach Arena in Durban.

A total of 17 goals were scored on the opening day after Mozambique steamrollered the Comoros 8-3 in a group B encounter.

According to reports, South Africa earned a hard-fought 4-2 win against Seychelles, which was tighter than the scoreline might suggest.

Seychelles’ scorers were Colin Tirant and Michel Joubert who scored a screamer that beat the otherwise excellent South African goalkeeper Bongani Cele, who pulled off a string of top saves.

Nduduzo Phakathi was the hero of the South African team as he netted all four of their goals in a stunning personal display that won him the man-of-the-match award.

Colin Tirant and Michel Joubert were on target for Seychelles, the latter scoring a screamer that beat the otherwise excellent South African goalkeeper Bongani Cele, who pulled off a string of top saves.

Seychelles play their second match this morning against Angola who will later during the day take on South Africa.

In group B, Mozambique, runners-up at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Beach Soccer Cup of Nations earlier this year and qualified for the Fifa World Cup in Russia, earned an 8-3 victory over Comoros.

Rachide netted a hat-trick for Mozambique, while Yuran, Nelson, Bachir and Manuel scored one apiece. Comorian Said Asmane scored an own goal.

Ammar Said, Ali Moussa and Salim Madi were on target for the Comoros who guest nation Tanzania this afternoon. Tanzania will also meet Mozambique this morning.

The top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinals, while the bottom sides enter the plate final.

The semifinals and plate final will be played on Friday, with the cup final set for Sunday.

Gerard Govinden