Zambia will face hosts South Africa in Saturday’s final of the 2024 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship after both won through their semifinals matches at a packed Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha on Thursday. Zambia defeated defending champions Malawi 2-0 and will hope to repeat their 2022 title win, while record-seven-time victors South Africa edged Mozambique 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The final will also be played at the Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha at 15h00 CAT (13h00 GMT) with entrance for fans free of charge.
Tickets will be available at the stadium on match day and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you cannot get to the venue, you can watch all ties streamed live on FIFA+ wherever you are in the world.
Ochuba Lubanji and Fridah Mukoma capitalised on Malawi’s defensive errors in the second half to hand the Copper Queens a 2-0 victory while individually shooting to the summit of the top of the tournament goal scorers’ charts in a tightly contested game.
The first half saw Zambia create chances but they were unable to convert. Malawi were also wasteful in front to goal in the opening stanza with captain Sabinah Thom and Asimenye Simwaka unable to combine.
Faith Chimzimu also had a shot at goal from range but could only land the ball on the roof of the net. Zambia head into the final as the only side yet to concede in the competition.
In the second semi-final, Mozambique’s Celia Miguel scored just after the half-hour mark, capitalising on poor communication between the South African defence and their goalkeeper Jessica Williams.
The sides had been exchanging possession with both having shots on goal without any success. 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.
Motlogelwa could have completed a brace early in the second half but was denied by Neima Nhamire. Just after the hour mark South Africa gave away a free kick just outside the box, Aurora Ngale took it but it was an easy save for Williams. South Africa finally scored their second goal in the 70th minute, but it was disallowed, leaving the tie to be decided by penalties. – cosafa.com
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