South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, unbeaten in the tournament before Saturday, have been beaten in the final of the COSAFA Women’s Championship, going down 4-3 on penalties after South African and Zambia were tied 0-all after regulation time at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha, on Saturday, 2 November, 2024.
Both tournament finalist teams played scrappy football in the opening minutes of the match as they tried to find some rhythm, when South Africa were almost caught off guard with a testing long range effort came from Zambia, but Banyana keeper Jessica Williams made a good save early in the match.
The Copper Queens had a good chance to open the scoring but Williams got to the ball just before colliding with Grace Chanda, who needed some medical attention after the clash.
Sikelelwa Mhlanga then tried a long-range effort but the ball found the safe hands of Zambia shot-stopper Ngambo Musole. Zambia was then given a free kick taken by Lulu but her effort went well wide of goal, as the wind was again giving the teams some trouble.
Evarine Katongo took a strike but her chance was far off target before South Africa won their first corner of the game. Nobahle Mdelwa took it short, but the effort didn’t materialise as Zambia regained possession and almost took the lead with a defensive fumble involving Williams, who managed gather the ball.
Tshegofatso Motlogelwa took the free kick, which she directed into the box. The keeper made a hash of a save, but Pauline Zulu managed to clear the ball. That effort should have been the opening goal of the match, but the half ended 0-0.
Isabella Ludwig attempted a shot but the ball sailed wide of goal when the match resumed as both teams desperately searched for the first goal of the game. Mdelwa then tried to get the opener but her effort didn’t hit the target as the home side made some promising strides.
Then Mdelwa looked to have finally gotten the opener to the delight of the home fans, but her attempt was overturned after a VAR review.
Despite the goal not being given, the crowd still had a strong voice as they urged the Banyana on. South Africa’s attack battled to get a good rhythm going, their attackers hampered in efforts to score the all-important opening goal.
Mdelwa next missed a perfect opportunity when she picked up on a pass from Asanda Hadebe, but the 16-year-old missed a golden chance to score. The teams could not be separated after regulation time so the match went to extra time where neither team found the back of the net and the match fell to be decided by penalties.
Isabella Ludwig was first to take a penalty and her attempt was successful for Banyana, and Lulu responded successfully for Zambia. Khutso Pila’s penalty was then saved and Williams went the wrong way, winning the Copper Queens got a 2-1 advantage. Mdelwa then made no mistake of scoring her penalty to balance the score at 2-all.
In the battle of the keepers, Zambia’s Musole netted her penalty before Kesha Hendricks was solid in her penalty attempt, before a subsequent missed penalty from the hosts handed Zambia the win and the title on Saturday evening.
Banyana Banyana Starting XI against the Zambia in their COSAFA Women’s Championship Final in Gqeberha, on 2 November, 2024
1. Jessica Williams (GK)
2. Asanda Hadebe
3. Sikelelwa Mhlanga
4. Ntando Phahla
5. Yolanda Nduli
6. Thalea Smidt (C)
8. Isabella Ludwig
9. Tshogofatso Motlogelwa
18. Shannon Macomo
19. Kutso Phila
Coach: Nombuso Maud Khumalo
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
Zambia 7-0 Comoros, Madibaz Stadium
Group D
Mozambique 1-1 Lesotho, Madibaz Stadium
Thursday, 31 October
Malawi 0-2 Zambia
South Africa 1-1 Mozambique – South Africa win 4-1 on penalties
Saturday, 2 November
South Africa 0-0 Zambia – Zambia win 4-3 on Penalties
Main Photo Caption: South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, unbeaten in the tournament before Saturday, have been beaten in the final of the COSAFA Women’s Championship, going down 4-3 on penalties after South African and Zambia were tied 0-all after regulation time at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha, on Saturday, 2 November, 2024. All Photos: COSAFA Media
Photo 2 Caption: Zambia’s Ochumba Oseke and Fridah Mukoma are the joint top scorers of the 2024 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship, with four goals each in the champs.
Photo 3 Caption: A despondent Jessica Williams is the 2024 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship Golden Glove Award winner.
Photo 4 Caption: Player of the Match, Zambia’s Evarine Katongo is congratulated on her achievements as the tournament concludes.
Photo 5 Caption: Zambia were awarded the Fair Play Award at the conclusion of formalities in Gqeberha on Saturday evening.
Photo 6 Caption: Hosts South Africa finished silver medalist Runners Up of the 2024 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship in the Eastern Cape.
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