Ruth Muwowo and Saliya Mwanza scored long range goals as Zambia took a grip on the COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship trophy with a 3-0 victory over hosts South Africa at the UJ Soweto Campus Stadium on Wednesday, 20 November, 2024.
The win moves Zambia to six points from their two games and to the top of the table with a healthy 12-goal difference, that will make them difficult to haul in.
After a goalless first half, they broke the deadlock when Muwowo powered in a shot from distance just past the hour-mark to give her side the lead.
They doubled that advantage with eight minutes remaining when Mwanza’s speculative effort crept in under the crossbar to seal the three points.
Zambia had the chance for a third when there was a foul on Bwalya Chileshe, and Jessy Zulu stepped up to convert the penalty.
Zambia were beaten finalists when the tournament was last played five years ago, but they will now be favourites lift the trophy this time round.
| Group A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 6 |
| South Africa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Mozambique | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
| Botswana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| Lesotho | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 0 |
Mozambique edged Botswana in a five-goal thriller in the first game on Wednesday, putting behind them a heavy 4-0 loss to South Africa on the opening day.
Mozambique led early through Joana Mossueie as she netted inside the opening five minutes, but Botswana hit back via Dimpho Sedirwa to make it 1-1.
That joy was short-lived though as Mossueie scored her second and Mozambique led again, but the see-saw contest had Botswana level before the break via Yaone Modise.
It was anybody’s game after that, but Mozambique found the winner via the penalty-spot as Armenia Machava netted what proved to be the winner 20 minutes from the end.
Thursday will be a rest day for the teams but the action resumes on Friday when Zambia are back in action against Botswana, looking to further enhance their dominant position at the top of the table.
That match kicks-off at 12h00 CAT, and the outcome will be important should Botswana hope to keep their chances alive, and do the rest of the teams a favour.
The second match on Friday will see South Africa seek to get back to winning ways when they take on Lesotho, who lost to Zambia 9-0 in their opener. The latter will look for a vastly improved performance in the 15h00 kick-off.
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
Botswana 2 – 3 Mozambique
South Africa 0 – 3 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: 4
Goals Scored: 21
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), Ruth Muwowo (Zambia)
2 – Bwalya Chileshe (Zambia), Lubasi Pumelo (Zambia), Joana Mossueie (Mozambique), Saliya Mwanza (Zambia), Jessy Zulu (Zambia)
1 – Armenia Machava (Mozambique), Mary Mbewe (Zambia), Thato Mafolo (South Africa), Yaone Modise (Botswana), Dimpho Sedirwa (Botswana)
Original Copy: COSAFA Media, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Ruth Muwowo and Saliya Mwanza scored long range goals as Zambia took a grip on the COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship trophy with a 3-nil victory over hosts South Africa at the UJ Soweto Campus Stadium on Wednesday. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 2 Caption: The sides went into halftime without a goal netted, but Zambia’s second-half pressure was the costly difference for Basetsana. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 3 Caption: The hosts are second on the log, lead by unbeaten Zambia with a healthy +12-goal difference cushion. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 4 Caption: Mozambique beat Botswana, taking the lead three times to finally win the see-saw encounter 3-2 in Soweto on Wednesday. Photo: COSAFA Media
Photo 5 Caption: Player of the Match, Mozambique’s No 6 Nelia Tamele was instrumental in goals by Joana Mossueie (5′, 34′) and Armenia Machava (70’ P). Photo: COSAFA Media
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