Seven goals for eliminated Gladiators

Hosts South Africa have secured a place in the semifinals of the 2024 Cosafa Women’s Championship after a 3-0 win over Eswatini at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha on Friday.

Namibia’s Brave Gladiators kept their slim hopes alive as they thumped Seychelles 7-0 in the opening game of the day, but seven-time winners Banyana Banyana have booked a knockout berth.

They lead Group A by six points and can make it a full haul of nine if they beat Seychelles in their final pool match on Monday.

But even an unlikely draw or defeat would see them progress. That is because only one of Namibia or Eswatini would be able to match their six points, but whoever it is, South Africa would trump them on the head-to-head rule having beaten both in the competition already.

In the earlier kick-off, Fiola Vliete netted hat-trick in the 28th, 29th and 51st minutes as Namibia defeated Seychelles 7-0 at the same venue.

The other goals came from the boots of fellow winger Twelikondjele Amukoto, Ivone Kooper (two) and a penalty by captain Zenatha Coleman, who also had two assists and was named player of the match.

The Brave Gladiators came into the encounter needing to win by a large margin to give themselves a shot at qualifying for the knockouts following their 1-0 loss to South Africa in the opener.

For the debutantes Seychelles this was their second loss on the trot and have conceded the most goals (13) so far at the competition in Gqeberha.

At a press conference, Namibia coach Woody Jacobs said: “We wanted to play well in this tournament and win the group, but it is now out of our hands.

“At the end of the day we expected more from our team that has been together so well, but I also understand that is how football go sometimes.

“It was heartwarming to see us creating goal-scoring chances. It was not a training match and Seychelles applied some of the harsh lessons they have been dealt earlier in the tournament.

“If I can make a suggestion to the Confederation of African Football, it would be to establish a CHAN tournament for women’s teams as well – to develop the game and exposed the national teams to more and better opposition. The amount of matches we play is not enough for optimum development.

“Fiola Vliete kicked on from being a top goal scorer in our (FNB) Women’s Super League last season with about 42 strikes. So I’ve always believed in her ability as a footballer.

“We would like to qualify for the Women’s Afcon most frequently. The last time we played in it was in 2014 when we were hosts. We have a player like our captain Zenatha Coleman who has had a great career and is approaching the end of her international career, so it’s not a good thing that we have been absent from big tournaments.”



BANYANA BANYANA

A goal from 16-year-old Nobuhle Mdelwa in the first half, a stunner from goalkeeper Jessica Williams and late strike by Ayesha Moosa ensured that Banyana Banyana made it two wins from two.

South Africa had chances to break the deadlock in the first half through Mmabatho Mogale and Thalea Smidt but they were off target until a stunner by Mdelwa five minutes before halftime.

Ten minutes into the second period Williams struck a rare beauty, carried by the strong wind, from her own half to double the hosts’ lead, while Moosa secured the winner in the last five minutes.



GROUP A RESULTS

Eswatini 6-0 Seychelles / South Africa 1-0 Namibia / Namibia 7-0 Seychelles / South Africa 3-0 Eswatini.



TODAY’S FIXTURES

Group B, Madagascar vs Botswana (12:00, Madibaz Stadium)

Group B, Mauritius vs Malawi (12:00, NMB Stadium )

Group A, Eswatini vs Namibia (15:00, Madibaz Stadium)

Group A, South Africa vs Seychelles (15:00, NMB Stadium)



GOALSCORERS

3 goals – Yaone Modise (Botswana), Tenanile Ngcamphalala (Eswatini), Fiola Vliete (Namibia).

2 – Ivone Kooper (Namibia), Celiwe Nkambule (Eswatini), Sarah (Madagascar).