By Ntokozo Magongo
The Women’s National Team, Sitsebe Samhlekazi rose to the occasion to beat Madagascar 2-1 in the opening match of the COSAFA Women’s Championships played at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on Wednesday.
The Zwelibanzi ‘Botsotso’ Khoza needed a comeback to win the match while South Africa’s Banyana Banyana lost 4-3 against Malawi.
Sitsebe went down 1-0 in the opening 20 minutes through a goal by Rina Rahamarimalala. The game went for the break with Madagascar leading with the solitary goal.
Sitsebe came from the breather all out and their hard work paid off as they found the equaliser through Captain Tenanile Ngamphalala and Patience Magagula scored the winner.
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Sitsebe now sits second of Group A behind Malawi who shocked host South Africa’s Banyana Banyana with 4-3 win on Wednesday afternoon.
Sitsebe Captain Tenanile Ngcamphalala was named the player of the match after her sterling performance.
The country’s troops will now face the log leaders Malawi in the second group match on October 7 at Dobsonville Stadium. The last game that could decide if they qualify for the semi-finals will be against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on October 10.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS GROUP A:
Madagascar 1 (Raharimalala 28’)
Eswatini 2 (Ngcamphalala 46′, Magagula 81’)
South Africa 3 (T. Shamase 44’, Nkuna 79’, S. Shamase 90’)
Malawi 4 (Chinyamula 27’, Te. Chawinga 45’, 60’, 76’)
LOG
GROUP A
P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Malawi 1 1 0 0 4 3 1 3
Eswatini 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
South Africa 1 0 0 1 3 4 -1 0
Madagascar 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0