By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – Eswatini also received a medal from the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations won by neighboring country, South Africa.
The country’s Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Letticia Vianna was among those who received a medal after the final that saw South Africa beating Morocco 1-0 in the finals on Sunday night at June 30 Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.
Vianna was among the panel of referees appointed by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to officiate in the tournament. She was joined by Assistant Referee Celumusa Phiri who also officiated during the tournament that was played this month.
Vianna is not new in winning a medal from such big tournaments as it has always been the case, especially with the Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) tournaments.
During the officiating of the final on Sunday night, Vianna was on spotlight as the only goal of the final came in the 70th minute when South Africa’s Gomolemo Kekana unleashed a powerful right-footed effort from outside the box, bending the ball into the top corner. The goal, awarded after a VAR review, broke the deadlock in a tense contest dominated by tactical discipline and defensive organisation.
South Africa won their maiden TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title as it has been dominated by the Northern African countries.
