* As defending champions are ousted by Zambia in the semifinal, the team they beat 2-1 to claim the title last year
* The girls played well in the first half but in the second—Scorchers’ coach Lovemore Fazili
* But they didn’t give us what we expected according to the first half performance
Maravi Express
Record seven-time COSAFA Women’s Championship victors, South Africa edged Mozambique 4-1 on penalties yesterday after a 1-1 draw to date 2022 winners Zambia, who defeated defending champions Malawi 2-0 in the other semifinal played.
Mozambique, who are yet to win the regional title, scored first through Celia Miguel just after the half-hour mark, capitalising on poor communication between the South African defence and their goalkeeper Jessica Williams.
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Banyana Banyana got back into the game via a Tshegofatso Motlogelwa penalty after Shannon Macomo was fouled in the box at the stroke of half time, a decision that was helped by the consultation of the video assistant referee (VAR) the first time in the two matches played on the day.
In the first semifinal, Zambia’s Ochuba Lubanji and Fridah Mukoma capitalised on Malawi’s defensive errors in the second half to hand the Copper Queens the 2-0 victory, while individually shooting to the summit of the top of the tournament goalscorers charts in a tightly contested game.
The Scorchers were sluggish as Zambia were the better team as they took charge of the midfield while keeping a closer eye on the Scorchers’ danger players, Sabina Thom and Asimenye Simwaka for the game to go into the break at 0-0.
Just two minutes from half time, Zambia scored through Ochumba Lubandji in the 47th before Fridah Mukoma netted the second after a blunder from goalkeeper, Mercy Sikelo.
Sikelo received a back pass from her defender but she was so lethargic in trying to clear and Mukoma pounced on the ball from her feet to score.
Trailing 0-1, coach Lovemore Fazili brought Pilirani Malora for Vanessa Chikupira in the 53rd minute but Zambia remained resolute in all departments and after they scored the second, the coach also took out Leticia Chinyamula for Catherine Kachala in the 77th minute.
He also took out Asimenye Simwaka for Jessie Yosefe in the 87th but it was too late as the Zambians held on to their lead even into four minutes of added time.
Fazili told Fam.mw that his side didn’t come to party in the second half as per his instruction: “The girls played well in the first half but in the second, but they didn’t give us what we expected according to the first half performance.
“The players lost concentration in the second half and we got punished by our opponents with very easy goals. These goals affected our team because it is always hard to come back after conceding two goals from a team like Zambia so the players were already down,” Fazili said.
Coach Fazili
Malawi had three clear cut chances in the first half but could not find the back of the net. Sabina Thom’s strike at 23 minutes landed straight into the goalkeeper’s hands while Faith Chinzimu’s long range short 5 minutes later went slightly above the cross bar.
Two minutes to the end of the first half, Chinyamula, Sani and Thom beautifully exchanged passes to set Asimenye but she missed the target.
The Scorchers weakest point at the 2024 edition was missing out six of top notch players foreign-based who were part of the squad that won the title last year — Temwa Chawinga; Chimwemwe Madise; Ireen Khumalo; Chioma Okafor, Vitumbiko Mkandawire and Rose Kadzere, alongside Temwa’s sister, Tabitha who did not participate due to club engagements.
Zambia head into the final as the only side yet to concede in the competition with Ochumba Lubanji, Fridah Mukoma in the race for the Golden Boot as both have so far scored 4 goals.
At 3 apiece are Leticia Chinyamula & Sabina Thom (Malawi), Zenatha Coleman & Fiola Vliete (Namibia), Kesha Hendricks & Tshegofatso Motlogelwa (South Africa), Yaone Modise (Botswana), (South Africa) and Tenanile Ngcamphalala (eSwatini).
With 2 goals are Regina Chanda (Zambia), Ethel Chinyerere (Zimbabwe), Ivone Kooper (Namibia), Sinamile Mkhwanazi & Ayesha Moosa (South Africa), Celiwe Nkambule (eSwatini), Marie Sarah Rasoanandrasana (Madagascar) and Asimenye Simwaka (Malawi).
From the 20 played, there were 75 goals scored and biggest victories being Malawi 9-0 Mauritius 0; South Africa 8-1 Seychelles; Namibia 7-0 Seychelles and eSwatini 6-0 Seychelles.—Content by COSAFA Media and Fam.mw; edited by Maravi Express
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