Zambia put themselves in contention as the best-placed runner-up with a thumping 4-2 victory over Seychelles, though they conceded twice late on to hurt their goal-difference.
Zambia were rampant in the first 75 minutes as they scored four times through Albert Kangwanda, Killan Kanguluma, Golden Mashata and Fredrick Mulambia.
At that stage there were cruising, but after Brandon Labrosse pulled a goal back for Seychelles, their first of the tournament, Warren Mellie added an injury-time penalty.
Group C concludes on Wednesday but Lesotho have already been confirmed as pool winners after taking six points from their two games to date. Both final games will kick-off at 15h00 CAT.
Mauritius have three points and can only finish as the best runner-up. They will overhaul Zambia if they beat Mozambique by four goals in their final game that will be played at the Princess Magogo Stadium.
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
Group B – Princess Magogo Stadium
Seychelles 2 (Labrosse 81’, Mellie 90’pen) Zambia 4 (Kangwanda 11’, Kanguluma 54’, Mashata 58’, Mulambia 73’)
Group B – Moses Mabhida Stadium
Malawi 2 (Kaonga 30’pen, Patrick Mwaungulu 36’) Comoros 0
Group A – Princess Magogo Stadium
South Africa 2 (Mabasa 76’, 88’) Eswatini 1 (Matsebula 51’)
Group A – Moses Mabhida Stadium
Namibia 0 Botswana 0
WEDNESDAY’S FIXTURES
Group C – Princess Magogo Stadium
Mauritius vs Mozambique (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Group C – Moses Mabhida Stadium
Angola vs Lesotho (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Botswana | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Eswatini | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| Namibia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Malawi (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Zambia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Comoros | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Seychelles | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Lesotho (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Mauritius | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Angola | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| Mozambique | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 16
Goals scored: 35
Biggest victory: Seychelles 0 Comoros 3 (Group B, July 6)
Most goals in a game: 6 – Seychelles 2 Zambia 4 (Group B, July 11)
GOALSCORERS
2 goals – Affane Djambae (Comoros), Albert Kangwanda (Zambia), Tshegofatso Mabasa (South Africa), Bongwa Matsebula (Eswatini), Neo Mokhachane (Lesotho), Fredrick Mulambia (Zambia)
1 – Dayo Antonio (Mozambique), Raidou Bacar (Comoros), Benarfa (Angola), Lebogang Ditsele (Botswana), Marie Francois (Mauritius), Rowan Human (South Africa), Absalom Iimbondi (Namibia), Elmo Kambindu (Namibia), Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Botswana), Jacama Kumwembe (Malawi), Killan Kanguluma (Zambia), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Malawi), Brandon Labrosse (Seychelles), Golden Mashata (Zambia), Sifiso Matse (Eswatini), Warren Mellie (Seychelles), Shaune Mogaila (South Africa), Patrick Mwaungulu (Malawi), Lanjesi Nkhoma (Malawi), Iqraam Rayners (South Africa), Motebang Sera (Lesotho), Ibroihim Youssouf (Comoros)
Own goal – Aaron Katebe (Zambia)
