South Africa will meet Zambia in the final of the 2019 Cosafa Women’s Championship on Sunday after defeating Zimbabwe 3-1 in the second semi-final played at Wolfson Stadium on Thursday.
Playing in their third successive semi-final, the hosts took the lead through a Bambanani Mbane header in the 17th minute, a lead which was cancelled by Mavis Chirandu four minutes later.
In extra time of the first half Amanda Mthandi saw the Zimbabwean goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai off her line and scored from a distance to restore Banyana’s lead into the break.
Busisiwe Ndimeni scored the winner with 10 minutes left on the clock. An excited Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made some changes and was pleased with her side’s performance.
Ellis further says the defending champions were not really tested by their neighbours, however she was happy to see her girls play professionally. The coach is happy with the way in which Banyana capitalised on set-pieces and being aware of the opposition keeper’s positioning.
The losing coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda was graceful in defeat saying South Africa’s pedigree showed on the day.
Zimbabwe will contest the third/fourth place play-offs with Botswana on Saturday with Sibanda saying they are going to give the encounter their very best.
The coach is also pleased that her girls are getting much needed international game time in the tournament ahead of the 2020 Olympic qualifiers. – Report by Lethabo Kganyago
