The Scorchers of Malawi top Group A at the 2023 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship after registering a 4-3 victory over host nation South Africa on the opening day of the tournament at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday (4 October).
Temwa Chawingwa completed a hat-trick, a goal in the first half and brace in the second half with Leticia Chinyamula scoring the opener.
South Africa, who were missing several key players, scored consolation goals from the boots of Thubelihle Shamase, Khensani Nkuna and S’phumelele Shamase.
Malawi dominated the African champions from the start of the game with the Chawinga-led attack a thorn for the Banyana Banyana defence, who conceded all the goals from errors.
In the earlier kick off, Eswatini came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Madagascar who were making a return after a three year absence year absence.
Madagascar had dominated the opening 20 minutes of the game and were rewarded two minutes before the half hour mark with a goal through Rina Rahamarimalala.
Eswatini returned from the break fired immediately, grabbing a goal though their captain Tenanile Ngamphalala and Patience Magagula scoring the winner.
Eswatini are second in the pool with three points, followed by South Africa and Madagascar.
Day two will see Group B opening matches starting with Angola and Comoros at 12h00 CAT and defending champions Zambia against Mozambique at 15h30.
Both of those games will also be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
Entrance for fans to all matches will be FREE of charge, with tickets available at the stadium on match day. They are limited to four per person. You can view all of the fixtures here.
If you cannot get to the stadium, you can watch all matches streamed LIVE on FIFA+. Games will also be carried on SuperSport.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS:
Group A
Madagascar 1 (Raharimalala 28’) Eswatini 2 (Ngcamphalala 46′, Magagula 81’)
South Africa 3 (T. Shamase 44’, Nkuna 79’, S. Shamase 90’) Malawi 4 (Chinyamula 27’, Te. Chawinga 45’, 60’, 76’)
THURSDAY’S FIXTURES:
Group B
Angola vs Comoros (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Zambia vs Mozambique (KO 15h30; 13h30 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Malawi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 0 |
| Madagascar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Angola | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Comoros | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mozambique | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zambia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Botswana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lesotho | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Namibia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zimbabwe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS:
Matches Played: 2
Goals scored: 10
Biggest victory: Madagascar 1 Eswatini 2 (Group A, October 4); South Africa 3 Malawi 4 (Group A, October 4)
Most goals in a game: 7 – South Africa 3 Malawi 4 (Group A, October 4)
GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Temwa Chawinga (Malawi)
1 – Leticia Chinyamula (Malawi), Sikhanyiso Magagula (Eswatini), Tenanile Ngcamphalala (Eswatini), Khesani Nkuna (South Africa), Rina Raharimalala (Madagascar), Sphumelele Shamase (South Africa), Thubelihle Shamase (South Africa)
Source: COSAFA.COM
