Angola’s Depu moved joint top of the all-time scorers list in the Hollywoodbets CosafaCup as he netted a hat-trick to help Palancas Negras to a 4-0 victory over Lesotho in their Group B clash at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Mangaung on Sunday.
Namibia and Malawi played to a goalless draw in the other fixture in the pool, which means defending champions Angola top the group with four points, followed by Lesotho (3 points), Namibia (2) and Malawi (1).
It will be all to play for in the final round of fixtures on Tuesday, when Angola take on Malawi and Lesotho meet Namibia.
Angola secured the biggest win of the competition to date when they defeated Lesotho, with much of the damage done in the first half.
Vidinho put the side ahead with a header from a corner on 42 minutes later, and shortly afterwards it was 2-0 when Depu headed in from a cross by Milson.
Angola then added a third shortly after the break as Depu netted his second with another header to make sure of the points.
But he was not done yet and a delightful chip from Manuel’s pass saw him complete his hat-trick, and score his fourth of the competition.
The defending Champions put four past Lesotho 🇦🇴🇱🇸#SSDiski | #COSAFACup2025 pic.twitter.com/KLmo19vAIS
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 8, 2025
Depu was the Golden Boot recipient as Angola lifted the trophy in 2024 with five goals in the competition.
Add to that his four goals this term and his career tally is nine, matching the all-time Cosafa Cup record holder Felix Badenhorst of Eswatini, who also has nine goals.
Namibia and Malawi could not be separated in the other game in the pool, with The Flames managing eight attempts at goal to the Brave Warriors’ three.
It ends goalless between Namibia and Malawi 🇳🇦🇲🇼#SSDiski | #COSAFACup2025 pic.twitter.com/u9VAzlHPTB
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 8, 2025
MORE ACTION ON MONDAY
The action continues on Monday when Madagascar will seek to earn a semifinal place with a victory over Eswatini in the three-team Group C (3pm CAT).
They opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Tanzania, and another three points will give them an unassailable lead in the pool.
Only the top team in each group advances to the semifinals.
Madagascar and Eswatini have met five times before and the island nation are still seeking their first win.
Eswatini have claimed three victories to go with two draws.
Comoros also opened with a win in Group D when they beat record seven-time winners Zambia 1-0 in their first fixture.
Next up is Botswana (6pm CAT) and they are in the same boat as the Malagasy, where another three points will see them advance.
Comoros will hope for a first win against Botswana, having a defeat and a draw against them in the past. They are yet to score a goal.
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Group B – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium
Angola 4 (Vidinho 42’, Depu 44’, 52’, 90’) Lesotho 0
Namibia 0 Malawi 0
MONDAY’S FIXTURES
Group C – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium
Madagascar v Eswatini (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Group D – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium
Comoros v Botswana (KO 18h00; 16h00 GMT)
