It was another successful outing for Banyana Banyana at the COSAFA Women’s Championship. The South Africans booked their place in the competition’s semi-finals thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Eswatini in Gqeberha on Friday, 25 October 2024.
16-year-old Nobuhle Mdelwa was first on the scoresheet for the hosts as she netted the opener in the 41st minute to see the seven-time winners take the lead late in the first half.
There was much more action to come in the second half as South Africa managed to add two more goals to their tally.
Banyana goalkeeper Jessica Williams was allowed to take a free kick and scored a stunning goal from edge of the centre circle. Her free-kick sailed over the heads of the players and into the back of the net much to the delight of her teammates.
Ayesha Moosa was the third South African to find the back of the net in the 87th minute, to hand the goal-scoring South African machine their second win in a row.
Maud Khumalo’s team’s semi-finals place has been cemented and they will be playing in next week Thursday’s playoff match looking to add an eight title to their trophy cabinet at this competition, no matter what happens in the remaining Group A matches.
In other results in Group A, it was a tough day at the office for the Seychelles as they succumbed to their second defeat in as many matches. They were beaten 7-0 by Namibia who narrowly lost to Banyana in their previous match.
The island nation made their debut in the competition and have now conceded the most goals, after falling to a 6-0 loss to Eswatini on Tuesday.
Banyana’s last. group-stage match which will be a dead rubber against the Seychelles on Monday, 28 October, kicking off at 15h00 at the Madibaz Stadium at the Nelson Mandela University.
Banyana Banyana Starting XI against Eswatini at the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Gqeberha
1. Jessica Williams (GK)
2. Asanda Hadebe
3. Sikelelwa Mhlanga
6. Thalea Smidt (C)
7. Ayesha Moosa
10. Gugu Dhlamini
13. Nobahle Mdelwa
15 Mmabatho Mogale
18. Shannon Macomo
19. Khutso Pila
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
12h00 Botswana vs Mauritius, Madibaz Stadium
15h00 Malawi vs Madagascar, Madibaz Stadium
Sunday, 27 October
Group C
12h00 Angola vs Comoros, Madibaz Stadium
Group D
15h00 Zimbabwe vs Lesotho, Madibaz Stadium
Monday, 28 October
Group B
12h00: Madagascar vs Botswana, Madibaz Stadium
12h00 Mauritius vs Malawi, Madibaz Stadium
Group A
15h00: Eswatini vs Namibia, Madibaz Stadium
15h00: South Africa vs Seychelles, Madibaz Stadium
Tuesday, 29 October
Group C
12h00: Zambia vs Comoros, Madibaz Stadium
Group D
15h00: Mozambique vs Lesotho, Madibaz Stadium
Thursday, 31 October
Semi-Finals TBC
Saturday, 2 November
Final TBC
Main Photo Caption: Ayesha Moosa sunk the final goal to secure a youthful COSAFA Banyana Banyana’s semi-final berth at the African regional Women’s Championship, when SA secured a comprehensive 3-nil victory over Eswatini, in Gqeberha on Friday, 25 October 2024. All Photos: COSAFA Media
Photo 2 Caption: Banyana Banyana keeper Jessica Williams was unveiled as Player of the Match for scoring SA’s second goal in addition to keeping a clean sheet. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 3 Caption: Sixteen-year-old Nobuhle Mdelwa (left of picture) opened scoring to give Banyana Banyana the lead just before the half-time break. Photo: COSAFA Media