COSAFA Cup: The Group of Death Lives Up to Expectations

Group C, fully justified its reputation as the group of the death during its second matchday of the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship, played at Dobsonville Stadium in Attridgebille, on Monday, 9 October, 2023.

Botswana displayed no mercy against Lesotho, securing a commanding 3-0 victory. The Mares, who retained the same lineup as their 1-1 draw with Namibia in the opener, immediately signalled their intent to score in the first half. 

Lesego Radiakanyo was thwarted by the defence within the opening three minutes, while Obonetse Rathari hit the woodwork from distance a minute later.

Botswana soon earned a set-piece opportunity, with captain Kesegofetse Mochawe delivering a precise pass to Lone Gaofetoge, who expertly headed home to grant her team the lead in the fifth minute. 

Balothanyi Johannes came close to making it 2-0 within the first 15 minutes, but her long-range shot sailed just over the bar. Despite Botswana dominating possession, Radiakanyo’s attempt struck the post.

Lesotho had a clear chance at goal shortly afterward but failed to capitalise. Ten minutes before halftime, Johannes scored a brilliant goal from a tight angle inside the box, extending Botswana’s lead to 2-0 going into halftime.

In the second half, Mohambi Saulos’s team continued to search for another goal, which ultimately came in the final 20 minutes of the match. Mochawe notched Botswana’s third goal and her second of the tournament from a similar position as Johannes, securing a well-deserved victory.

This result eliminated Lesotho from the competition with one match remaining, while Botswana sits in second place on the group standings with four points, just behind leaders Zimbabwe. 

In the second match of the day, Zimbabwe defeated Namibia 2-0. The Mighty Warriors faced early pressure in the first half, but their goalkeeper, Cynthia Shonga, made consecutive outstanding saves to deny the Gladiators an opening goal.

Experienced winger Rudo Neshamba found the back of the net for the opener, with an assist from Christabel Katano. Just five minutes before the half-hour mark, Zimbabwe earned a free-kick, and Vimbai Mharadzi skillfully curled it, forcing Melissa Matheus to make a save to maintain a respectable scoreline.

Namibia came close to equalising early in the second half when Azania Adams fired a shot just over the crossbar. Shortly before the hour mark, Nobukhosi Ncube delivered a stunning strike from a set-piece at range, extending the lead to 2-0.

Zimbabwe had an opportunity to make it 3-0 shortly after when Katona set up Privilege Mupeti, who only needed to tap the ball into the net; however, she missed the target. Shadreck Mluauzi’s team remains the only side in the competition yet to concede a goal this year.

Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship Results on Monday, 9 October 2023

Group C

Botswana 3-0 Lesotho 
Namibia 0-2 Zimbabwe 

Results and Fixtures: 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship

2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship – GROUP STANDINGS

Main Photo Caption: Botswana showed no mercy against Lesotho as they put three goals past them without reply at the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday, 9 October, 2023. Photo: COSAFA on X

Photo 2 Caption: With one win and one draw to the good, Botswana are now in second position in the tournament’s so-called ‘Group of Death’, Group C. Photo: COSAFA on X

Photo 3 Caption: Group C log leaders Zimbabwe defeated Namibia 2-0 in the second match of the day with six points from their two matches. Photo: COSAFA on X

Photo 4 Caption: Zimbabwe scored twice to keep Namibia at bay, in third position on the Group Log with a point from their earlier draw against Botswana. Photo: COSAFA on X