By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
5 June 2025- South Africa suffered a disappointing start to their 2025 COSAFA Cup campaign, falling 0-1 to Mozambique in the opening match of the tournament at Free State Stadium on Wednesday. The South Africans missed several opportunities in the first half and then struggled to find their rhythm in the second period, eventually conceding the crushing goal by Antonio Sumbane in the 73rd minute that ultimately cost the home side the match.
Coach Vela Khumalo could not contain his disappointment following the defeat on the opening day of the regional tournament.
“It is not the best way to start the tournament. Performance-wise, I thought we played well, we played the way we wanted to play. One will then say what needs to be improved on, going back to the training sessions and how we convert our chances.
“I think in the first stanza we had too many entries into the box and in the final third, we could not score. We were rushing things when we got into the box,” said Khumalo.
He further said in the second half, they spoke to the players about this and made the team aware of it. Khumalo added that they even made the team aware that the only way Mozambique could score was if they got them in transition, which is exactly what they did.
“You know when you are a position-based team, you get carried away with the moment. I think we need to concentrate more, tactically be disciplined and convert our chances. We created enough chances to win the game, but we couldn’t.
“Performance-wise, we will go far, never mind the setback of today. When we went back to what we wanted to achieve in the tournament, it was not to concede a goal, but unfortunately, we did,” he said.
Khumalo said they have to go back and work on our finishing. He said it sounds like deja vu because when he was with the U17s, they suffered the same thing of not scoring goals.
“VAR is a good thing because it is where the world is going. But I think the officials are taking too long to make decisions and that kills the momentum of the game.
“South Africa will face Zimbabwe in their second Group A match of the COSAFA Cup on Saturday, June 7. The encounter is crucial for both teams as only the top team in each group advances to the semi-finals,” said Khumalo.
The Guardian 