The COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship kicked off with a bang with South Africa comfortably beating Mozambique in their 3pm kickoff at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus in Gauteng on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
In what looked to be a balanced display of football for both teams, South African ladies increasingly asserted themselves into the game, and the first goal of the match came in the 15th minute through Adrielle Mibe, who slotted the ball in the back of the net.
The first half finished 1-0 to SA as the hosts headed into the break with a narrow lead over Os Mambas after an intense and physical display of football.
SA got the second half underway and immediately made a substitution with the injured Tanna Hollis coming off for Thato Mofolo. Mozambique also made substitution with Armenia Machava coming off for Leticia Jemusse, and the play between the two teams started with the same level of physicality as the first half ended.
However, SA found a goal through Mibe in the 67th minute and again in the 71 minute, to put SA 3-0 up with 30 minutes of play still to come.
SA continued their dominance and scored their fourth goal of the match through substitute Mofolo in the 80th minute. Four-nil up, the defending champions were in control of the game.
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Botswana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mozambique | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
| Lesotho | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 0 |
Earlier, in the first match of the day, Zambia started their campaign with a dominant display from the onset in their 12:00 midday kickoff, who were immediately on the back foot with a lot of defensive work to do.
Lubasi Pumulo opened the scoring at 10 minutes of play, and immediately after that scored her second goal in less than a minute after the first.
The Young Queens were cruising at 0-2. Goals kept coming for Zambia when they scored their third goal in the 13th minute through Saliya Mwanza, forcing Lesotho to make an early substitution in the first half.
However, goals kept coming in for the Young Queens as Bwalya Namule Chieshe scored in the 27th minute of the game play.
Another goal just before halftime for Zambia sealed the first half with a goal from Mary Mbewe in the 36th minute. The score at halftime was 0-4 to Zambia.
Just before the start of the second half, Zambia made a triple change, with Lesotho making a double change. Lesotho got the second half underway, however immediately the Young Queens won possession and attacked for goals.
Chileshe opened the scoring in the second half in the 54th minute, causing the Zambian coach to make a double changes. A rare attack from Lesotho came in the 60th minute through a wasted corner.
Substitute Ruth Mowowo scored her first goal in the 65th minute for the Young Queen seventh goal of the game. Zambia continued their dominance.
Mowowo scored her second of the game, Zambia’s eighth goal in the 86th minutes, and as play continued the Young Queens continued their dominance.
The unceasing schedule of action continues on Wednesday with two more matches at the same venue, Botswana get their competition under way with a clash against Mozambique at 12h00 CAT (10h00 GMT).
That will be followed by a second fixture for hosts South Africa as they take on Zambia in what could be a pivotal clash in the competition, that might go a long way in deciding the Group A winner.
Teams earn three points for a win and one for a draw, with the side that collects the most points after their four games the victor.
Entrance for fans to all matches will be free of charge, with tickets available at the stadium on match day on a first-come, first-served basis, and all matches are streamed live on FIFA+.
Results and Fixtures of the COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship, at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus
Tuesday 19 November
Lesotho 0 – 9 Zambia
South Africa 4 – 0 Mozambique
Wednesday 20 November
12h00 Botswana vs Mozambique
15h00 South Africa vs Zambia
Friday, 22 November
12h00 Botswana vs Zambia
15h00 South Africa vs Lesotho
Saturday, 23 November
12h00 Zambia vs Mozambique
15h00 Lesotho vs Botswana
Sunday, 24 November
12h00 Mozambique vs Lesotho
15h00 South Africa vs Botswana
Tournament Stats
Matches Played: 2
Goals Scored: 13
Biggest Victory: Lesotho 0 Zambia 9 (November 19)
Most Goals in a Game: 9 – Lesotho 0 Zambia 9 (November 19)
Tournament Leading Goalscorers
3 Goals – Adrielle Mibe (South Africa)
2 – Bwalya Chileshe (Zambia), Pumelo Lubasi (Zambia), Ruth Muwowo (Zambia)
1 – Mary Mbewe (Zambia), Thato Mafolo (South Africa), Saliya Mwanza (Zambia), Jessy Zulu (Zambia)
Original Copy: COSAFA Media, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship kicked off with a bang with South Africa comfortably beating Mozambique in their 3pm kickoff at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus in Gauteng on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 2 Caption: Wednesday’s tie against Zambia gives no time for recuperation, as the team prepares to face their biggest contender. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 3 Caption: No surprise that tournament leading goalscorer Adrielle Mibe won Player of the Match in her opening outing. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 4 Caption: Zambia thumped Lesotho 9-nil in their opening fixture on Tuesday, to lead the Group A log on goal difference. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 5 Caption: With four ties in the space of six days, Zambia will eye Wednesday’s clash against South Africa as a potential champs title decider. Photo: COSAFA Media
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