By Zukiswa Tshaka
Three-time champions Angola got their Cosafa Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Comoros at the King Zwelithini Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban, on Tuesday.
The Black Panthers were too strong for their island opponents while Botswana defeated Seychelles 1-0 in the same group.
It was a thrilling start to the competition, which made its return to Durban for the first time since 2019, with fans in the stands enjoying the football.
Angola took the lead in the 39th minute after Miguel squeezed his superb free-kick through the Comoros wall and the ball sailed into the top corner of the net.
The Black Panthers started the second half where they left off in the first stanza and they increased the lead after Lepua converted a penalty.
Substitute Higino scored Angola’s third goal in the dying minutes of the match while Comoros’ goal came from Ali Nassim.
Meanwhile, 2019 finalists Botswana got their campaign off to a winning start with a narrow 1-0 win over Seychelles. Thato Kebue headed in the Zebras’ and the match’s only goal in the 49th minute.
