Banyana Banyana continued their unbeaten run at the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Gqeberha, the South Africans winning their semi-final against Mozambique on penalties after the sides were 1-1 after regulation time, and going on to win the penalty shootout 4-1 in Gqeberha on Thursday, 31 October, 2024.
It was Mozambique who had the better chances in the opening minutes of the match, and came close to scoring after just six minutes when the hosts struggled to find their rhythm.
Minutes later, Banyana put a good run together as Sinamile Mkhwanazi and Isabella Ludwig combined well, but the attempt was dealt with by the Mozambique keeper, Neima Nhamire. South Africa were awarded a corner, but it was hard to battle with the wind and the ball was carried over the net.
This was most certainly the first match in this tournament that saw Banyana’s defence was tested. In the 22nd minute, Mozambique’s Cidalia Cuta was one-on-one with South Africa’s shot-stopper Jessica Williams, who came out to make a good save to ensure that her opponents didn’t take the lead.
Thalea Smidt then took a shot from just outside the box, but it wasn’t on target, before Celia Miguel broke the deadlock with a well-deserved goal in the 34th minute, when the South African defence was caught off guard.
South Africa’s chance with Williams taking a free kick got carried away by the wind again got the better of the opportunity.
There was late drama late in the first half as Shannon Macomo was brought down in the box by Aurora Ngale, and the home team was awarded a penalty which Tshegofatso Motlogelwa stepped up and made no mistake, levelling scores to take the teams into the break at 1-all.
South African finally got some good movement going after the resumption of play, and managed to get into the box in the second half. This saw Ludwig’s attempt on target but Nhamire punched it away only for Mkhwanazi to put the ball in the back of the net, before it was ruled offside.
As the clock ticked down both teams pushed for the winner but the decider just didn’t come together for either team, despite chance son both ends. The game ended 1-1 after regulation time with the addition of six minutes of extra time, and went straight to penalties after the full-time whistle was blown.
Ludwig was the first to take a penalty for South Africa, and she calmly slotted the ball in, next it was the turn of Ines Chinguleze for Mozambique, who pulled her shot left of the post, to the distress of her team-mates.
Motlogelwa then made it two from two for Banyana, before Mozambique managed to score their first penalty goal, only for South Africa’s Nobahle Mdelwa to calmly slot the third penalty.
Williams was adjudged to have moved too soon on the next shot which she saved, and then promptly saved the retaken shot, to no compliant this time! Kesha Hendricks then sealed the winning penalty for her team to secure their place in the final, South Africa winning the penalty shootout 4-1.
South Africa will now face Zambia in the final at the Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha, at 15h00 on Saturday, 2 November 2024.
Banyana Banyana Starting XI against the Mozambique in their COSAFA Women’s Championship Semi-Final in Gqeberha
1. Jessica Williams (GK)
3. Sikelelwa Mhlanga
4. Ntando Phahla
5. Yolanda Nduli
6. Thalea Smidt (C)
8. Isabella Ludwig
18. Shannon Macomo
17. Sinamile Mkhwanazi
11. Kesha Hendricks
9. Tshogofatso Motlogelwa
20. Samkelisiwe Selana
Coach: Nombuso Maud Khumalo
Fixtures and Results of the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Gqeberha from 22 October to 2 November 2024
Tuesday, 22 October
Group A
Eswatini 6-0 Seychelles
South Africa 1-0 Namibia
Wednesday, 23 October
Group B
Madagascar 5-1 Mauritius
Malawi 1-1 Botswana
Thursday, 24 October
Group C
Zambia 3-0 Angola
Group D
Mozambique 1-0 Zimbabwe
Friday, 25 October
Group A
Namibia 7-0 Seychelles
South Africa 3-0 Eswatini
Saturday, 26 October
Group B
Botswana 5-0 Mauritius
Malawi 1-0 Madagascar
Sunday, 27 October
Group C
Angola 1-3 Comoros
Group D
Zimbabwe 3-0 Lesotho
Monday, 28 October
Group B
Madagascar 0-0 Botswana
Mauritius 0-9 Malawi
Group A
Eswatini 0-1 Namibia
South Africa 8-1 Seychelles
Tuesday, 29 October
Group C
12h00: Zambia 7-0 Comoros, Madibaz Stadium
Group D
15h00: Mozambique 1-1 Lesotho, Madibaz Stadium
Thursday, 31 October
12h00: Malawi 0-2 Zambia
15h00: South Africa 1-1 Mozambique – South Africa win 4-1 on penalties
Saturday, 2 November
15:00 South Africa vs Zambia
Main Photo Caption: The unbeaten Banyana Banyana are through to Saturday’s Final of the 2024 COSAFA Women’s Championship, winning the penalty shootout 4-1 after the two were tied 1-all after regulation time at the Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha, on Thursday, 31 October 2024. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 2 Caption: Mozambique took the lead through Celia Miguel, who broke the deadlock with a well-deserved goal in the 34th minute. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 3 Caption: Right winger Tshogofatso Motlogelwa slotted the penalty won by Banyana Banyana in the 45th minute, to go into half-time 1-all. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 4 Caption: Banyana Banyana captain Thalea Smidt was in regular action in the evenly-matched encounter with Mozambique. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 5 Caption: Player of the Match Kesha Hendricks sealed the winning penalty for South Africa to win the penalty shootout 4-1. Photo: COSAFA Media
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