ZIMBABWE RETURN TO CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH A WIN -

Zimbabwe made a triumphant return to the international football scene during the 2023 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship, securing a 1-0 victory over Lesotho in their Group C opener at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday.

The Mighty Warriors clinched the win when Privilege Mupeti, who came off the bench, netted a crucial goal just before the hour mark, in a match where Zimbabwe showcased their dominance.

Shadrack Mulauzi’s team had opportunities to extend their lead, with Charitabel Katona missing two clear chances in the first half. Katona had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 with only 15 minutes remaining, but her shot veered wide, resulting in the match concluding with a solitary goal.

Zimbabwe currently leads the group standings with three points, ahead of Botswana and Namibia, who played to a 1-1 draw in the day’s second match.

The Gladiators of Botswana found the net after just six minutes, courtesy of Millicent Hikuam. However, the Mares of Namibia didn’t sit back, and Lesego Radiakanyo’s solo run after 30 minutes tested Queandra Batista, who made a commendable save.

Batista was called into action again shortly after, denying Balothanyi Johannes from a tight angle with a superb save.

The second half saw fewer scoring opportunities for both teams, and as the game appeared headed for a Namibia win, Botswana earned a set-piece opportunity 11 minutes before the final whistle. Captain Kesegofetse Mochawe stepped up and delivered a remarkable equalizer from outside the box, securing a valuable point for her team.

The tournament proceeds to the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday for match day two in Group A. In the early kick-off at 12:00, Malawi and Eswatini will battle for the top spot, while South Africa and Madagascar will aim to register their first points in the second fixture at 15:30.

GROUP A P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Malawi 1 1 0 0 4 3 1 3
Eswatini 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
South Africa 1 0 0 1 3 4 -1 0
Madagascar 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0

GROUP B P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Angola 1 1 0 0 5 0 5 3
Mozambique 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Zambia 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Comoros 1 0 0 1 0 5 -5 0

GROUP C P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Zimbabwe 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
Botswana 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Namibia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Lesotho 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0

TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 6
Goals scored: 18
Biggest victory: Angola 5 Comoros 0 (Group B, October 5)
Most goals in a game: 7 – South Africa 3 Malawi 4 (Group A, October 4)

GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Temwa Chawinga (Malawi)
1 – Caupe (Angola), Leticia Chinyamula (Malawi), Millicent Hikuam (Namibia), Luvunga (Angola), Sikhanyiso Magagula (Eswatini), Matuvova (Angola), Kesegofetse Mochawe (Botswana), Priviledge Mupeti (Zimbabwe), Tenanile Ngcamphalala (Eswatini), Khesani Nkuna (South Africa), Rina Raharimalala (Madagascar), Sambo (Angola), Sphumelele Shamase (South Africa), Thubelihle Shamase (South Africa)
Own goal – Hadhirami Ali (Comoros)