Kenya sealed their place in the semifinals of the 2017 COSAFA Women’s Championships on Monday and in doing so booked a passage for tournament hosts Zimbabwe as well.

Kenya defeated Swaziland 1-0 to take top spot in Group B, a result that also meant that Group A runners-up Zimbabwe advanced as the best second-placed team.

The East Africans will now take on Zimbabwe in Thursday’s second semifinal at the Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo (16h00 local; 14h00 GMT), with Zambia and South Africa to contest the earlier fixture (13h00 local; 11h00 GMT) at the same venue.
Kenya needed a late goal from Mercy Achieng to seal their victory, which leaves them as the only team with a 100 percent record in the competition.

Their 17 goals scored in three games in the first round, aided by an 11-0 thrashing of Mauritius, also sees them as top scorers going into the semifinals.

Mozambique ended their competition on a high note with a 3-0 victory over the Mauritians.

Lucia, Cidalia and Betinha found the back of the net for the dominant Mozambique side, who have to settle for third in the pool.

Zimbabwer’s five points from their three games, following a win over Madagascar (4-0) and draws with Zambia (1-1) and Malawi (3-3) was just enough for the defending champions to squeeze into the knockout stages.

The final of the competition is set for Sunday.  

MONDAY’S RESULTS
Kenya 1 (Achieng 90) Swaziland 0
Mauritius 0 Mozambique 3 (L. Moçambique 18’, Cuta 48’, Betinha 58’)
THURSDAY’S FIXTURES
Both at Barbourfields Stadium
Zambia vs South Africa (13h00 local; 11h00 GMT)
Kenya vs Zimbabwe (16h00 local; 14h00 GMT)

 

GROUP A                   P          W        D         L          GF       GA       GD       PTS
Zambia (Q)                3          2          1          0          14       5          +9       7
Zimbabwe (Q)           3          1          2          0          8          4          +4       5
Malawi                        3          1          1          1          12       12       0          4
Madagascar               3          0          0          3          4          17       13       0

 

GROUP B                   P          W        D         L          GF       GA       GD       PTS
Kenya (Q)                  3          3          0          0          17       2          +15     9
Swaziland                   3          1          1          1          5          3          +2       4
Mozambique              3          1          1          1          7          7          0          4
Mauritius                   3          0          0          3          0          17       -17      0
GROUP C                    P          W        D         L          GF       GA       GD       PTS
South Africa (Q)        3          2          1          0          7          2          +5       7
Botswana                   3          1          1          1          4          5          -1        4
Lesotho                       3          1          0          2          2          7          -5        3
Namibia                      3          1          0          2          6          5          +1       3

 

 

TOURNAMENT STATS

Matches Played: 18
Goals scored: 86
Biggest victory: Kenya 11 Mauritius 0 (Group B, September 16)
Most goals in a game: 11 – Kenya 11 Mauritius 0 (Group B, September 16)