First round wrap at the Cosafa Women’s Championship
The Cosafa Women’s Championship returned to Limpopo with the kind of energy locals have come to expect from this annual fixture on the women’s football calendar. The Old Peter Mokaba Stadium was buzzing as the region’s top sides kicked off the 13th edition of the tournament, each with their own ambitions for the year.
Some teams are chasing confidence, others are sharpening combinations ahead of Wafcon, and a few arrived with giant-killing dreams tucked into their boots. But after the first round of matches, one thing is clear: the heavyweights came to play.
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Group A sees hosts and newcomers signal their intent
Angola had the honour of opening the tournament, and they wasted no time announcing themselves. Arminda Lopes produced the kind of early-tournament performance that makes scouts sit up, guiding her side to a composed win over Lesotho.
Later in the afternoon, it was Banyana Banyana’s turn. Playing in front of home supporters hungry to see the side build their way back to continental dominance, South Africa held off Malawi for a valuable win. While the match was far from polished, coach Desiree Ellis kept her focus firmly on the long game.
She reminded supporters that most local players are still shaking off their pre-season legs, adding that the performance mattered less than the three points. Rising star Nthabiseng Majiya delivered the spark Banyana needed and walked away with Player of the Match.
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Zimbabwe and Zambia take early control in Group B
Day two belonged to Group B, where Zimbabwe returned from their off-season looking sharper than expected. Their 3-1 win over Eswatini was fuelled by Christabel Katona’s influence across the pitch. Coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda welcomed the win, acknowledging the tough shift while noting that her squad still has plenty to refine before their next outing.
Zambia followed with a commanding display against Botswana, cruising to a 3-0 win that sent a clear warning to the rest of the tournament. Eneless Phiri, who has increasingly become one of the region’s most trusted big-game players, earned Player of the Match.
Assistant coach Charles Haalubono praised the disciplined start, pointing out that Zambia’s first priority was securing maximum points to take control of the group. Botswana coach Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang was honest in her review, admitting that her side’s unforced errors opened the door for Zambia’s goals.
Namibia start strong in a tight Group C
With just three teams in Group C, every match is high stakes. Namibia stepped onto the field knowing that an opening-day win could shape the rest of their campaign. Their 2-0 victory over Mozambique was the product of a well-executed plan, with veteran Millicent Hikuam delivering a calm, intelligent performance.
Head coach Lesely Kavuka said their patterns and structures worked exactly as intended, adding that the scoreline could have been even bigger given the chances created. For Namibia, this result places them in a favourable early position with momentum on their side.
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A look ahead: Seshego Stadium takes centre stage
The action now shifts to Seshego Stadium, where round two will offer a clearer picture of who is emerging as real title contenders. Supporters can attend for free, while those at home can stream the matches via the Cosafa YouTube channel or Fifa Plus.
21 February – Seshego Stadium
12h30: South Africa v Angola
15h30: Malawi v Lesotho
22 February – Seshego Stadium
12h00: Botswana v Eswatini
15h00: Zambia v Zimbabwe
23 February – Seshego Stadium
15h00: Namibia v Madagascar
With the opening round done, the stage is set. The familiar powerhouses have made themselves known, but tournaments like this often deliver surprises. Limpopo has once again become the heartbeat of southern African women’s football, and the next few days promise even more drama as the journey to the title intensifies.
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Source: SuperSport
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