Steven Mendes has been crowned the 2026 COSAFA U20 Championship Golden Boot winner after finishing the tournament as the leading goalscorer with six goals for Amajita.
The Kaizer Chiefs youngster capped an impressive individual campaign on Sunday by scoring the decisive goal in South Africa’s 2-1 victory over Mozambique in the final at ABB Stadium 1 in Matola.
Mendes’ penalty in the 58th minute secured the trophy for Amajita and also took his tournament tally to six goals, enough to finish at the top of the scoring charts.
Mendes Delivers When It Matters Most
South Africa’s final against Mozambique was closely contested.
Oarabile Booysen opened the scoring for Amajita before Martinho Começar quickly brought the hosts level.
With the match tied, South Africa were awarded a penalty in the second half after Emile Witbooi was fouled inside the box.
Mendes stepped forward and calmly converted from the spot in the 58th minute.
The goal proved to be the difference as Raymond Mdaka’s side held on to win 2-1 and successfully defend their COSAFA U20 crown.
Six Goals Earn Mendes the Golden Boot
Mendes finished the tournament with six goals, one ahead of Mozambique’s Alírio Cuna, who scored five.
The official COSAFA awards confirmed Mendes as the recipient of the Golden Boot, while Cuna was named Player of the Tournament.
Mendes’ goals came at important stages of South Africa’s campaign, including a two-goal performance from the penalty spot in the 4-2 semi-final victory over Zambia.
He then followed that display by scoring the winning penalty in the final.
Amajita Complete Unbeaten Campaign
Mendes’ Golden Boot success came as part of an outstanding tournament for South Africa.
Amajita won all five of their matches and finished the competition unbeaten, scoring 13 goals while conceding only three.
Their 2-1 victory over Mozambique also secured South Africa’s third consecutive COSAFA U20 Championship title.
The two finalists had already secured qualification for the 2027 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana by reaching the final.
A Special Tournament for Mendes
For Mendes, the Golden Boot provides a fitting reward for a tournament in which he repeatedly made his mark in front of goal.
The young forward showed composure from the penalty spot and finished the competition with six goals, including the strike that ultimately delivered another regional championship for South Africa.
His performances also add another positive chapter to his development with Kaizer Chiefs, with the youngster having been part of the club’s reserve setup before joining up with the national U20 team.
With the COSAFA title secured and the Golden Boot in his hands, Mendes can now look ahead to the next stage of his development as Amajita prepare for the continental challenge in Ghana.
2026 COSAFA U20 Golden Boot
Player: Steven Mendes
Country: South Africa
Team: Amajita
Goals: 6
Award: Golden Boot
Tournament: COSAFA U20 Championship
Result: South Africa 2-1 Mozambique
Champions: South Africa
Steven Mendes leaves the tournament with both a championship medal and the Golden Boot, after playing a decisive role in Amajita’s successful title defence.
