The semi-final line-up is set at the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers 2023 after the final round of pool matches were played in Durban on Monday (4 September 2023), with both former champions making the Last 4.
Group A winners Double Action Ladies of Botswana will face Costa do Sol of Mozambique in the first semi-final on Wednesday, 6 September (kick-off 12h00 CAT), while Mamelodi Sundowns take on Green Buffaloes in the second game at 15h30 CAT.
That match-up is a repeat of the 2022 final that was edged by the Zambians. Sundowns were the inaugural winners of the competition in 2021.
Green Buffaloes remained on course to defend their title with a 2-1 win with Lesotho Defence Force in their last Group A match.
They came into the match needing a point to make the knockout phase, while the Defence Force needed a convincing victory to stand a chance.
Carol Kanyemba’s charges were the dominant of the two in the decider and were rewarded early in the first half when Comfort Selemani’s attempt was deflected by Ntsatsi Khakanyo, who scored an own goal, the first of this year’s competition.
Khakanyo redeemed herself later in the half as her set-piece was instrumental in the Defence Force equaliser also through a deflected own goal by Memory Nthala. With the Lesotho champions looking like they may get away with a point Esther Banda stole the headlines in the last 10 minutes of the match with the winner for the Buffaloes.
Double Action Ladies from Botswana made sure of their qualification and top place in the group with a 4-0 victory over Malawian debutants Ntopwa FC.
Lesego Radiakanyo took her goals tally in the competition to three with a brace, while Oteng Bonang and Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse were also on target for Double Action.
The results mean Buffaloes finished second in the group, equal on seven points with Double Action but behind on goal-difference.
Zanele Nhlapo converted a first half penalty while Miche Minnies also netted and Andisiwe Mgcoyi got a brace as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Costa Do Sol 4-0 to finish top of Group B with a full haul of nine points.
The pair came into the match already qualified for the semi-finals having bagged maximum points from their first two group matches, with just top spot to be decided.
In the other match in the pool, Young Buffaloes and Olympic de Moroni played to a 3-3 draw in an entertaining dead rubber that saw both go home with a point.
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.
MONDAY’S RESULTS:
Group A:
Green Buffaloes 2 (Khakanyo 8’og, E. Banda 81′) Lesotho Defence Force 1 (Nthala 42’og)
Ntopwa FC 0 Double Action Ladies 4 (Radiakanyo 7′, 84′, Bonang 38′, Ontlametse 49′)
Group B:
Mamelodi Sundowns 4 (Nhlapho 16’pen, Minnies 61’, Mgcoyi 72’, 77’) Costa do Sol 0
Young Buffaloes 3 (Nothando Dlamini 11’, Ngcamphalala 60′, Dube 88) Olympic de Moroni 3 (Rima 13’, Rasoanandrasana 54′, Razanampiavy 83′)
WEDNESDAY’S FIXTURES
Semi-finals – Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
Double Action Ladies vs Costa do Sol (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Green Buffaloes (KO 15h30; 13h30 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Double Action (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Green Buffaloes (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Lesotho Defence Force | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
| Ntopwa FC | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Mamelodi Sundowns (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 9 |
| Costa do Sol (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 6 |
| Young Buffaloes | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 1 |
| Olympic de Moroni | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 13 | -9 | 1 |
TOURNAMENT STATS:
Matches Played: 12
Goals scored: 41
Biggest victory: Mamelodi Sundowns 8 Olympic de Moroni 0 (Group B, August 31)
Most goals in a game: 8 – Mamelodi Sundowns 8 Olympic de Moroni 0 (Group B, August 31)
GOALSCORERS:
3 goals – Lelona Daweti (Mamelodi Sundowns), Andisiwe Mgcoyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lesego Radiakanyo (Double Action)
2 – Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Miche Minnies (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tenanile Ngcamphalala (Young Buffaloes), Albertina Pondja (Costa do Sol), Joeline Rima (Olympic de Moroni)
1 – Esther Banda (Green Buffaloes), Oteng Bonang (Double Action), Vanessa Chikupila (Ntopwa FC), Maweta Chilenga (Green Buffaloes), Nothando Dlamini (Young Buffaloes), Mazwi Dube (Young Buffaloes), Marlene Janeiro (Costa do Sol), Gabonnelwe Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Naide Maconho (Costa do Sol), Siomala Mapepa (Green Buffaloes), Maseriti Mohlolo (Lesotho Defence Force), Chuene Morifi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Amanda Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Zanele Nhlapho (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (Double Action), Boitumelo Rabale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Marie Rasoanandrasana (Olympic de Moroni), Aimee Razanampiavy (Olympic de Moroni), Leungo Senwelo (Double Action), Refilwe Tholakele (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Own goals – Ntsatsi Khakanyo (Lesotho Defence Force), Memory Nthala (Green Buffaloes)
Source: COSAFA.com
