Zambia defended its Cosafa U/17 Girls’ Championship title with a convincing 3-0 win over Malawi in a match played at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.
Goals from Ruth Mukoma, Natasha Kasema and Gift Marimba sealed victory for the Zambians, marking the third time they have won this competition since its inauguration in 2019. Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa have also won the title previously.
Mozambique claimed the bronze medal with a 3-2 win over Zimbabwe in the third and fourth place play-off. Namibia’s new revelation, Nancy Lebang, walked away with the top goal-scorer award for her impressive seven goals, while Malawi received the Fair Play Award.
Zambia’s Butata Kakumbi snatched the Golden Glove Award for being the best goalkeeper, while Ruth Mukoma of Zambia was chosen the Player of the Tournament.
Speaking after the match, Zambia’s Carol Kanyemba expressed satisfaction after the team defended their title. “We thank God we managed to defend the title. It’s easy to become a champion, but it’s hard to maintain that status,” she said.
“I am glad we put in a good shift, especially in the final game. It wasn’t really our best game in the tournament, and I think it was because of too many stoppages, which prevented us from playing our game as we had wanted. Our best match at the tournament was against Zimbabwe,” she said.
Zambia will now head to the upcoming Fifa U/17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco from 17 October to 8 November, and according to the coach, the Cosafa tournament provided a valuable preparation platform for them.
“We are not fully ready yet, but we are preparing for it; we have a few months to do so. This tournament gave us a boost and opened our eyes, and we appreciate it.
This year, I want to go beyond the group stage for the first time and reach the quarterfinals because we have never done that before,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chisomo Nkhoma praised her Malawi charges for reaching the final despite failing to lift the title. She believes reaching the final was a significant step in the right direction for them, as it was the first time they have achieved that feat.
“It wasn’t our day, but I appreciate the girls for making it to the final of the tournament. This is huge for the team and the country; it’s our first time reaching the final of this prestigious youth tournament. They tried their best, and there is massive potential and talent in our country,”
“Our girls put up a great performance, and it’s evident in all the matches we played in this tournament.
It was the first time we conceded three goals, and it is against a good Zambian side. Overall, I am happy with how they performed and am hoping that next year, we will take the title from Zambia,” she said.
Tournament stats
Matches Played: 13
Goals scored: 76
Biggest victory:
Mozambique 11 Mauritius 0
(Group B, May 12)
Most goals in a game:
14 – Lesotho 2 Zimbabwe 12 (Group C, May 14)
Top goal scorers:
Nancy Lebang (Namibia) – 7 goals
Dee Mapuwa (Zimbabwe) – 6 goals
Jessica Andicene (Mozambique), Hellen Banda (Zambia), Mya Munyanduki (Zimbabwe) – 4 goals
Faluna Umali (Malawi), Natasha Kasema (Zambia), Ruth Mukoma (Zambia), Precious Mwape (Zambia) – 3 goals
Hope Lesotlo (Botswana), Thandy Nassone (Mozambique), Alinafe Nyirenda (Malawi) – 2 goals
Khloe Awases (Namibia), Yumna Bila (Mozambique), Alicia Chinyoka (Zimbabwe), Perpertua Chisuro (Zimbabwe), Grace Eises (Namibia), Edite Fernando (Mozambique), Melania Gawas (Namibia), Fatima Houana (Mozambique), Talandira Kachala (Malawi), Gorata Kgotle (Botswana), Chiedza Khumalo (Zimbabwe), Malehlonhonolo Leholi (Lesotho), Sunila Luckubary (Mozambique), Esther Makoti (Zambia), Gift Mazimba (Zambia), Thato Molete (Lesotho), Boiketlo Molise (Lesotho), Shantell Mugute (Zimbabwe), Cecilia Mzima (Malawi), Esther Ngabwe (Zambia), Beatrice Njobvu (Zambia), Grace Phiri (Zambia), Ethel Tambala (Malawi), Victoria Tennyson (Mozambique), Yolanda Zavale (Mozambique) – 1 goal
Own goals: Abellia Armance (Mauritius), Tanyaradzwa Nyamucherera (Zimbabwe), Uakatavisa Tjihiku (Namibia)
-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na