Namibia Stun Hosts South Africa To be Crowned COSAFA Champions

Namibia came from behind to secure their first-ever HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship title with a 2-1 win over record seven-time winners South Africa in the final at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday.

The hosts struck first through Nthabiseng Majiya in the opening half, but Muhinatjo Hanavi and Memory Ngonda found the net for Namibia, their winner coming in the first half of extra time.

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made three changes to the side that defeated Zimbabwe in the semi-finals two days earlier.

Sibongakonke Mzobe, Bongiwe Thusi and Bonolo Mokoma started ahead of Sibulele Holweni, Gabriela Salgado and Isabella Ludwig, with Nonhlanhla Mthandi captaining the side on the day.

The Brave Gladiators were unchanged from their semi-final victory against Zambia in what was Zenatha Coleman’s final match of the tournament. A repeat of the 2006 final won by South Africa, it was a cagey affair with neither side posing much of a threat in the opening half.

Banyana had the first chance when Mokoma struck the crossbar from range just after 20 minutes. The breakthrough came seven minutes after the half-hour mark, Majiya netting her second goal of the tournament from a Sinegugu Zondi assist.

Namibia responded after the break. Substitute Millicent Hikuam attempted to level from outside the box but fired wide. Coleman came close twice, first shooting over the bar and then forcing Banyana goalkeeper Casey Gordon into a goal-line clearance from a set-piece.

The equaliser finally arrived nine minutes into the second half when substitute Hanavi caught Gordon off her line with a long-range effort.

Both sides probed for a winner in an open exchange. Thorisho Mphelo was denied by the Namibian goalkeeper late in regulation time, while Ngonda had a tame effort saved at the other end.

The match went into extra time and Ngonda put Namibia ahead inside the opening two minutes, finishing from a Coleman assist. South Africa nearly forced penalties in the second half of extra time, but substitute Salgado was denied by the woodwork.

Earlier in the day, Zambia secured third place with a 3-1 win over Zimbabwe in the playoff. Agnes Phiri scored twice in the first half, while Mercy Chipasula added a third on the stroke of half-time to seal victory and the bronze medal for the outgoing champions.

Zimbabwe’s consolation goal came from Rutendo Makore in first-half injury time, her third of the tournament. The 2017 top scorer joined Malawi duo Deborah Henry and Ireen Khumalo, along with Lesotho’s Makhotso Moalosi, at the top of the scoring charts.

In the individual awards, Zambia Namibia’s Melissa Matheus won the Golden Glove, while her teammate Coleman was named Player of the Tournament. The Golden Boot went to Makore and South Africa claimed the Fair Play prize.

"Congratulations to all the teams that participated in the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship,” said Hollywoodbets Head of Operations, Morgan Shandu.

“It has been inspiring to watch the incredible action at the tournament. The calibre of football displayed over the past few weeks has without a doubt demonstrated that women’s football in Southern Africa is thriving.

“The passion, determination and skill shown by every team, speaks volumes about the bright future of the sport.”

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Third-place Play-off – New Peter Mokaba Stadium

Zambia 3 (E. Phiri 4’, 28’, Chipasula 45’) Zimbabwe 1 (Makore 45’)

Final – New Peter Mokaba Stadium

Namibia 2 (Hanavi 54’, Ngonda 92’) South Africa 1 (Majiya 37’)

After extra-time

TOURNAMENT STATS

Matches Played: 19

Goals scored: 46

Biggest victory: Malawi 8 Lesotho 1 (Group A, February 21)

Most goals in a game: 9 – Malawi 8 Lesotho 1 (Group A, February 21)

GOALSCORERS

3 goals – Deborah Henry (Malawi), Ireen Khumalo (Malawi), Rutendo Makore (Zimbabwe), Makhotso Moalosi (Lesotho)

2 – Nthabiseng Majiya (South Africa), Nonjabuliso Mokgale (Eswatini), Eneless Phiri (Zambia)

1 – Leena Alweendo (Namibia), Susan Banda (Zambia), Amelia Banze (Mozambique), Juliana Blou (Namibai), Regina Chanda (Zambia), Vanessa Chikupila (Malawi), Ethel Chinyere (Zimbabwe), Mercy Chipasula (Zambia), Avell Chitundu (Zambia), Muhinatjo Hanavi (Namibia), Millicent Hikuam (Namibia), Sibulele Holweni (South Africa), Arminda Lopes (Angola), Cristina Makua (Angola), Nolofatso Mamela (Botswana), Cina Manuel (Mozambique), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Malawi), Bonolo Mokoma (South Africa), Thorisho Mphelo (South Africa), Nonhlanhla Mthandi (South Africa), Kabange Mupopo (Zambia), Agness Musesa (Zambia), Memory Ngonda (Namibia), Olivia Phikani (Malawi), Aimee Razanampiavy (Madagascar), Gabriela Salgado (South Africa), Maria Viera (Angola), Praynance Zvawanda (Zimbabwe)

Source: Briefly News