After Uganda (2019), Tanzania (2020) and Zambia (2021) lifted the COSAFA GIRLS’ UNDER-17 Championship, South Africa ended the drought following a 4-3 victory over Zambia in the final of the 2022 edition held in Malawi.
The Zambians had hoped to defend their title won in Maseru last year, but despite leading twice in the match ended up on the losing side on Sunday (11 December 2022).
Sinazo Ntshota put South Africa ahead inside two minutes but Lucy Kajiya headed Zambia level. They then took the lead when Jessy Zulu fired in a powerful shot off the bar.
Nobahle Mdelwa got her sixth of the campaign to draw South Africa level with a superb free-kick that she curled into the net.
That was the way it stayed through halftime, but Zambia were back in front on 50 minutes when Zangose Zulu blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
But when Ntshota grabbed her second midway through the second period, it was game on and the momentum with the South Africans.
And they grabbed the winner on 84 minutes when Andrielle Mibe rounded the goalkeeper to slot the ball into the back of the net for a memorable win.
Malawi had on Saturday collected the bronze medal in the Girls’ competition when they thumped Botswana 9-0 in the play-off game.
Ntshota was named Player of the Tournament , while the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper went to her compatriot Casey Gordon.
The Golden Boot for leading scorer was won by Malawi’s Rose Kadzere after she netted eight times in the competition.
Zambia picked up the Fair Play award.
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
COSAFA GIRLS’ UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS
Matches Played: 10
Goals scored: 75
Biggest victory: Namibia 0 South Africa 12 (Group A, December 3); Malawi 12 Namibia 0 (Group A, December 5)
Most goals in a game: 12 – Namibia 0 South Africa 12 (Group A, December 3); Malawi 12 Namibia 0 (Group A, December 5)
GOALSCORERS
8 goals – Rose Kadzere (Malawi)
6 – Faith Chinzimu (Malawi), Nobahle Mdelwa (South Africa)
5 – Andrielle Mibe (South Africa)
4 – Leticia Chinyamula (Malawi), Sinazo Ntshota (South Africa), Jessy Zulu (Zambia), Zangose Zulu (Zambia)
3 – Lotang Ebineng (Botswana), Harriet Matipa (Zambia), Lubasi Pumulo (Zambia)
2 – Bwalya Chileshe (Zambia), Katlo Ditsile (Botswana), Olwethu Sosibo (South Africa),Sarah Mulimbika (Malawi).
1 – Anna Baziliyo (Malawi), Linda Manda (Malawi), Tatiana Correia (South Africa),Lebogang Dilelo (Botswana), Julia Goncalves (South Africa), Mbapeua Hangara (Botswana), Lucy Kajiya (Zambia), Suwiranji Lukondo (Zambia), Tricia Mabamba (Zambia), Mary Mbalangwe (Malawi), Chikondi Mgodi (Malawi), Khutso Mogano (South Africa),Palesa Mokopakgosi (Botswana), Gositang Motshegwe (South Africa), Esther Musialela (Zambia), Naledi Nkosi (South Africa), Ntando Phahla (South Africa)
Source: COSAFA.com
