South Africa defeated Botswana 3-0 to ensure the silver medal at the 2024 COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship, while Mozambique and Lesotho played to a thrilling 3-all draw on the final day of the competition at the UJ Soweto Campus Stadium on Sunday, 24 November, 2024.
South Africa were assured of the silver medal before kick-off against Botswana, but put in a fine display to underline their status as the second best team in the competition, dominating proceedings in their final group stage match to secure a convincing victory with Julia Goncalves scoring a hat-trick.
The first half saw balanced play from both teams until South Africa began to take control. Goncalves broke the deadlock in the 44th minute with a stunning strike, giving South Africa a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
In the 74th minute, Goncalves struck again, completing her brace to double South Africa’s lead. Moments later, she converted a penalty in the 79th minute, securing her hat-trick and putting the game beyond Botswana’s reach.
A Thrilling Draw
Mozambique scored late to claim a thrilling 3-3 draw with Lesotho in the earlier game on Sunday.
Lesotho struck first in the 10th minute, with Tsoaeli Tholoana giving them an early lead. Just six minutes later, a brilliant assist from Retsepile Maputle set up Limpho Mafana to double the advantage, putting Lesotho firmly ahead at 2-0.
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 12 |
| South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Mozambique | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 4 |
| Lesotho | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 16 | -12 | 2 |
| Botswana | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 13 | -10 | 1 |
Mozambique responded in the 24th minute through Beatriz Zaqueu, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Armenia Machava then delivered a stunning free-kick two minutes later, levelling the score at 2-2.
Lesotho regained their lead in the 39th minute when Tebello Lekote found the back of the net, making it 3-2 heading into halftime.
Despite both teams trading brief attacking spells, neither managed to find the back of the net until late in the game.
In the 89th minute, Mozambique managed the equaliser they had been searching for, with Carla Mazive netting the equaliser to make it 3-all.
Zambia’s Saliya Mwanza was crowned Player of the Tournament following her excellent displays, while Young Copper Queens stars Ruth Muwowo and Adrielle Mibe from South Africa shared the Golden Boot having scored four goals each.
Mwila Mufunte took the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper having not conceded a single goal. Lesotho took home the Fair Play award.
Zambia Claim COSAFA U20 Women’s Championship Title
On Saturday, Zambia were crowned winners of the COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship following the completion of four wins in four fixtures, scoring 19 goals and not conceding a single one.
Their 1-0 victory over Mozambique gave them an unassailable lead at the top of the table, and Zangose Zulu scored the only goal to hand the Young Copper Queens the title, with 12 points from four matches.
Zambia join East African guest nation Tanzania as winners of the trophy that was first played in 2019, and has not appeared on the calendar since.
The 2024 champions entered their final match on Saturday with the championship within their grasp, needing only a draw to secure the crown, but both teams pushed forward in the early stages, creating a high-tempo contest.
Zambia faced an early setback as Jessy Zulu was stretchered off in the 11th minute due to injury, prompting the introduction of Ruth Muwowo, who finished as the joint leader in the race for the Golden Boot with four goals.
Despite this disruption, Zambia continued to assert their authority and their persistence paid off in the 31st minute when Zangose Zulu had a tap-in to give them a 1-0 lead.
Mozambique’s goalkeeper Graça Machengo played a pivotal role in keeping the scoreline the same with a spectacular save in the 43rd minute.
Zambia kicked off the second half, determined to extend their advantage, the Young Copper Queens controlling possession and continuing to press Mozambique’s defence, but there were no further goals in the match.
Zambia’s Saliya Mwanza was awarded Player of the Match for the third time in four games in the tournament, highlighting her consistent excellence throughout the campaign.
Final Results 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
Botswana 2 – 3 Mozambique
South Africa 0 – 3 Zambia
Friday, 22 November
Botswana 0 – 6 Zambia
South Africa 3 – 0 Lesotho
Saturday, 23 November
Zambia 1 – 0 Mozambique
Lesotho 1 – 1 Botswana
Sunday, 24 November
Mozambique 3 – 3 Lesotho
South Africa 3 – 0 Botswana
Tournament Stats
Matches Played: 10
Goals scored: 42
Biggest victory: Lesotho 0 Zambia 9 (November 19)
Most goals in a game: 9 – Lesotho 0 Zambia 9 (November 19)
Tournament Leading Goalscorers
4 goals – Adrienne Mibe (South Africa), Ruth Muwowo (Zambia)
3 – Julia Goncalves (South Africa), Saliya Mwanza (Zambia)
2 – Bwalya Chileshe (Zambia), Armenia Machava (Mozambique), Mary Mbewe (Zambia), Jessica Modise (Botswana), Joana Mossueie (Mozambique), Lubasi Pumelo (Zambia), Jessy Zulu (Zambia)
1 – Tebello Lekote (Lesotho), Gugu Mabitsela (South Africa), Thato Mafolo (South Africa), Carla Mazive (Mozambique), Nobahle Mdelwa (South Africa), Limpho Mofana (Lesotho), Jacqueline Nambeye (Zambia), Edith Phiri (Zambia), Dimpho Sedirwa (Botswana), Mahali Sepirit (Lesotho), Tsoaeli Tholoana (Lesotho), Beatriz Zaqueu (Mozambique), Zangose Zulu (Zambia)
Own goal – Ivy Mankgatau (Botswana)
Original Copy: COSAFA Media, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: South Africa defeated Botswana 3-0 to ensure the silver medal at the 2024 COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship at the UJ Soweto Campus Stadium in Johannesburg, on Sunday, 24 November, 2024. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 2 Caption: Julia Goncalves rung up her hat-trick of goals against Botswana, scoring in other half plus a penalty late in the game to see SA to sliver. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 3 Caption: Basetsana’s Adrielle Mibe and Young Copper Queens star Ruth Muwowo shared the Golden Boot with four goals each. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 4 Caption: Zambia were crowned winners of the COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship after beating Mozambique 1-nil to complete four wins in four fixtures, scoring 19 goals and without conceding a single one. Photo: COSAFA Media
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