Group A at the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA qualifiers is nicely poised after both matches could not produce a winner on the opening day at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in eThekwini on Wednesday.
In the earlier kick off, tournament debutants Ntopwa FC registered a historic point as they held Lesotho Defence Force to a 1-1 draw, putting in an excellent performance in their first game at the regional championship.
The Malawi champions could have scored more goals if experienced striker Vanessa Chikupila, who eventually netted the opener in injury time at the end of the first half, was clinical in front of goal in both stanzas of the game. Ntopwa also missed a penalty.
The side were made to regret missing their chances as Maseriti Mohlolo equalised late in the game to seal a point for the Lesotho champions.
In the second game of the day, Botswana’s Double Action Ladies captain Lesego Radiakanyo scored the fastest ever goal of the qualifiers, heading home inside 40 seconds to hand her side the lead against defending champions Green Buffaloes.
The Zambian side enjoyed more possession but couldn’t do much with it in the first half.
However substitute Siomala Mapepa levelled for Buffaloes soon after being introduced in the second half, leaving the game to end 1-1.
As it stands, all the teams in the group have a point, making it an interesting fight to finish in the top two and earn a semifinal ticket.
On Thursday, Costa do Sol and Young Buffaloes opened proceedings in Group B at 12h00 CAT at the same venue with the 2021 champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and Olympic de Moroni playing in the last match of the day at 15h30 CAT.
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
Lesotho Defence Force 1 (Mohlolo 87’) Ntopwa FC 1 (Chikupila 45’)
Green Buffaloes 1 (Mapepa 50’) Double Action 1 (Radiakanyo 1’)
THURSDAY’S FIXTURES:
Group B
Costa do Sol vs Young Buffaloes (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Olympic de Moroni (KO 15h30; 13h30 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Double Action | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Green Buffaloes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Lesotho Defence Force | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ntopwa FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Olympic de Moroni | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Young Buffaloes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Costa do Sol | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS:
Matches Played: 2
Goals scored: 4
Biggest victory: –
Most goals in a game: 2 – Lesotho Defence Force 1 Ntopwa FC 1 (Group A, August 30); Green Buffaloes 1 Double Action 1 (Group A, August 30)
GOALSCORERS:
1 goal – Vanessa Chikupila (Ntopwa FC), Siomala Mapepa (Green Buffaloes), Maseriti Mohlolo (Lesotho Defence Force), Lesego Radiakanyo (Double Action
Source: COSAFA.com
