South Africa will take on East African guest nation Uganda in Sunday’s final, 29 September of the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Under-17 Championship after both won their semi-final matches on Friday.
It is perhaps a fitting decider between the two most accomplished sides in the competition as they fight for the right to lift the trophy in the inaugural COSAFA tournament in this age-group.
It is an intriguing fixture between a Ugandan side that have been at their free flowing best in this competition, and South Africa who bring their usual organisation and structure.
Uganda breezed into the final with a 12-0 defeat of Botswana and their three most potent players were again on target. Juliet Nalukenge netted a hat-trick to take her tally for the competition to 17 and just about out of sight for the Golden Boot. Behind her in second place is Fauzia Najjemba, who scored six goals against Botswana for 12 in the competition, while Margret Kunihira also got three in the game and now has nine overall.
Uganda have scored 44 goals in the competition in their four games, the trio have 38 of those on their own, clearly point the way to danger for South Africa in Sunday’s final. Botswana simply had no answer to the quality of the East Africans, and after trailing 3-0 midway through the first half, looked as though they would have no answer to Uganda.
Bantwana Had Their Work Cut Out for Them Against Zambia
It was a bit tougher going for South Africa, who edged Zambia 2-1 in their semifinal, but deservedly came out on top. Oyisa Marhasi opened the scoring with a tap-in after Zambia goalkeeper Inghu’tu Muchahabali spilled a shot from the edge of the box from South Africa skipper Jessica Wade.
It was the 150th goal scored in just 14 matches in the tournament, though there would be two more. Zambia were level on 28 minutes though and it was a superb strike from the dangerous Maweta Chilenga that crashed into the back of the net from 30-yards.
But in the classy Wade, South Africa always had a match-winner and her free-kick from some distance out sailed in over the head of Muchahabali five minutes into the second period.
You can follow all the action live on Sunday with our stream on www.cosafa.tv or via our website, www.cosafa.com.
Sunday, 29 September, Fixtures:
Third-Place Play-Off:
11h00: Botswana vs Zambia – St. François Xavier Stadium
Final
15h00: Uganda vs South Africa – St. François Xavier Stadium
Photo 1 Caption: South Africa’s captain Jessica Wade has had an impressive campaign at the inaugural 2019 COSAFA Women’s U-17 Championship in Mauritius and will seek to lead her side to title victory when the South Africans face Uganda in the final on Sunday, 29 September, 2019. Photo: SAFA.net
With editing by gsport
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