Durban – Morocco are the champions after they beat Mozambique 4-3 after a penalty shootout in the COSAFA Beach Soccer Tournament final on Saturday.
The penalty shootout came after a thrilling 4 – 4 draw in the final hosted in Durban, South Beach.
Mozambique started well and raced ahead with two goals scored by Captain Rachide Sefo Simethe.
However, Morocco’s Atlas Lions roared back strongly and levelled the score 3-3, before the Mambas of Mozambique went ahead again.
The Atlas Lions equalised in the dying minutes to take the game to penalties with the score tied at 4-4.
In the penalty shootout, Mozambique missed one penalty.
At the post-match award ceremony, Yassir Abada of Morocco’s goalkeeper took home the “Golden Glove” award, Issac Kajam for Malawi received the “Fair Player,” and “Top goal Scorer” awards, and Antonia Jose Pedro Namape for Mozambique received the “Player of the tournament” and “Top goal scorer” awards.
Mozambique Coach Saidate Abudo said: “It was a tough game from the start, but we tried to control the game and at the end, we made a mistake that cost us… but we are grateful for the opportunity.”
Man of the Match Angelo Artur Tomas from Mozambique said he had mixed emotions because his “team did not achieve their team objective”.
He was, however, happy to be named man of the match.
The Moroccans said they were thrilled to win gold.
In the third-place play-off, Malawi claimed the bronze medal with a 5-4 victory over Saudi Arabia.
