Jermaine nets last-gasp winner
HOSTS South Africa claimed a dramatic 1-0 victory over Botswana with virtually the last play of the game as they took control of their Group A game at the 2018 Cosafa Women’s Championships yesterday.
It looked as though brave Botswana would thwart Banyana Banyana, who missed a penalty and wasted a number of other opportunities, until Jermaine Seoposenwe popped up with a header to break the hearts of The Mares.
South Africa had dominated proceedings in windy conditions, but when Nompumelelo Nyandeni first struck a post and then saw her penalty brilliantly saved by Maitumelo Bosija, it looked as though it would not be their day.
Nyandeni’s effort from 12 yards was touched onto the crossbar by Bosija, who then scrambled to save the rebound from point-blank range.
Bosija, who plays in South Africa for Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies, was finally beaten in the fifth minute of stoppage-time when a deep cross to the back post was headed in by a grateful Seoposenwe.
Zimbabwe took charge of Group C with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Swaziland to move to a maximum of six points from their two games.
They head the pool from Uganda, who won their opener and next play Namibia today.
It took the Mighty Warriors until almost the half-hour mark to take the lead as Susan Nyama headed home to settle their nerves.
Felistas Muzongondi doubled the advantage just before the hour-mark with a neat finish, and shortly afterwards Marjory Nyaumwe added the goal that took the fixture away from Eswatini.
Two defeats leave Swaziland heading home after the pool stage and their clash on Monday against Namibia is now a dead rubber. In the other match in Group A, Malawi claimed a 2-0 victory over Madagascar to send the islanders out of the competition and keep their semifinal hopes alive.
Linda Kasenda and Zainab Kapanda scored for Malawi as they had to withstand some heavy pressure from their opponents but managed to keep the clean-sheet. The action resumes today when the clash of the day sees Zambia take on Cameroon in Group B.
Both teams have qualified for the African Women’s Championship in Ghana in November, and won their openers in Port Elizabeth, Cameroon after mauling Mozambique 8-1 on Thursday.
Zambia coach Beauty Mwamba says facing Cameroon holds no fear for her side.
“Playing Cameroon will give us a real test of what to expect at the Afcon.”