COSAFA Women's Championship: Botswana Dominates Group C, Zimbabwe Shines in Group B

Posted : 10 October 2023

Group C earned its reputation as the 'Group of Death' as it delivered on expectations during match day two of the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women's Championship at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday.

Botswana exhibited no mercy against Lesotho, scoring three goals without a reply. The Mares, who fielded the same lineup that drew 1-1 with Namibia in their opening match, showed their intention to score early in the first half. Lesego Radiakanyo was denied by the defense in the opening three minutes, while Obonetse Rathari struck the woodwork from range a minute later.

Botswana earned a set-piece shortly after, and captain Kesegofetse Mochawe delivered a precise pass to Lone Gaofetoge, who expertly headed home to give her side a fifth-minute lead.

Balothanyi Johannes had a chance to make it 2-0 within the first 15 minutes, but her long-range shot went just over the bar.

Despite Botswana dominating possession, Radiakanyo attempted another shot, only to be denied by the post this time. Lesotho had a clear chance at goal right after but only succeeded in passing the ball to the keeper.

Ten minutes before halftime, Johannes scored a stunning goal from a tight angle inside the box, extending Botswana's lead to 2-0 going into halftime.

In the second half, Mohambi Saulos's team continued to search for another goal, which came in the last 20 minutes of the match. Mochawe scored Botswana's third goal of the match and her second of the tournament from a similar position as Johannes, securing a well-deserved victory for her side.

The result eliminated Lesotho from the competition with one match remaining, while Botswana remains in second place in the group standings with four points, just behind leaders Zimbabwe, who defeated Namibia 2-0 in the second match of the day.

The Mighty Warriors faced an early test in the first half, with goalkeeper Cynthia Shonga making back-to-back superb saves to deny the Gladiators an opening goal.

Veteran winger Rudo Neshamba scored the opener soon after, assisted by Christabel Katano. Five minutes before the half-hour mark, Zimbabwe won a free-kick, and Vimbai Mharadzi's curling effort forced Melissa Matheus to make a save to keep the score respectable.

Namibia almost equalized in the early minutes of the second half through Azania Adams, who shot just over the bar. Just before the hour mark, Nobukhosi Ncube scored a spectacular goal from a set-piece from long range, making it 2-0.

Zimbabwe had a chance to make it 3-0 soon after when Katona found Priviledge Mupeti, who only needed to tap the ball into the net but missed the target. Shadreck Mluauzi's team is the only one yet to concede a goal in this year's competition.

Meanwhile, on day seven, it's crunch time with the decisive Group B matches kicking off the day. Zambia and Comoros are facing off at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Soweto campus, while Angola is taking on Mozambique in Dobsonville, with both fixtures starting at 12:00.

The Group A deciders will follow at 15:00, featuring Madagascar against Malawi at UJ and South Africa against Eswatini in Dobsonville.

COSAFA Women's Championship: Botswana Dominates Group C, Zimbabwe Shines in Group B

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