Hosts Zimbabwe will take on South Africa in the final of the 2017 COSAFA Women’s Championship in Bulawayo on Sunday, ensuring there will be no new name on the trophy this year.
Three-time winners South Africa edged Zambia in a thrilling semifinal on Thursday, while current holders Zimbabwe breezed past East African guest nation 4-0.
The two losing sides will meet in Saturday’s bronze-medal match (13h00 local; 11h00 GMT), while the final at the Barbourfields Stadium a day later gets under way at 15h00 local time, 13h00 GMT.
South Africa staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Zambia 5-3 on penalties after the teams had played to a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Zambia looked to be cruising into the final as they led 3-0 with just 13 minutes remaining after goals from Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda and Misozi Zulu. But when Leandra Smeda headed home Banyana Banyana were given a sniff, and those chances increased when Smeda then added a penalty to make the score 3-2.
The comeback from complete six minutes from time when Captain Refiloe Jane tapped home at the back post to force the game to penalties.
By now the momentum was with the South Africans and they held their nerve in the shoot-out as Esther Mukwasa missed her spot-kick to see Zambia defeated.
In the second semifinal, Zimbabwe were handsome winners as they netted goals through competition top-scorer Rutendo Makore, Berita Kabwe, Marjory Nyaumwe and Priviledge Mupeti.
It was a dominant display from the home side, who squeezed into the semifinals as runners-up in Group A, but are bow perhaps favourites for the final.
South Africa defeated Zimbabwe in the 2002 COSAFA Women’s Championship final, but the latter got revenge when they claimed the 2011 tournament on home soil.
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
At Barbourfields Stadium
Zambia 3 (Banda 21’, Chanda 45’, M. Zulu 73’) South Africa 3 (Smeda 77′, 78’pen, Jane 84’)
Kenya 0 Zimbabwe 4 (Makore 11′, Kabwe 45′, Nyaumwe 53′, Mupeti 89′)
SATURDAY’S FIXTURE
At Barbourfields Stadium
Zambia vs Kenya (13h00 local; 11h00 GMT)
SUNDAY’S FIXTURE
At Barbourfields Stadium
South Africa vs Zimbabwe (15h00 local; 13h00 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: 20
Goals scored: 96
Biggest victory: Kenya 11 Mauritius 0 (Group B, September 16)
Most goals in a game: 11 – Kenya 11 Mauritius 0 (Group B, September 16)
