Zambia will face hosts South Africa in Saturday’s final of the 2024 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship after both won through their semifinals matches at a packed Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha on Thursday.
Zambia defeated defending champions Malawi 2-0 and will hope to repeat their 2022 title win, while record-seven-time victors South Africa edged Mozambique 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋🤩🇿🇦
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 31, 2024
South Africa will take on Zambia for the COSAFA Championship trophy 😏🏆#HCWC2024 | #HereForHer pic.twitter.com/DhdmZv4eZe
The final will also be played at the Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2) with entrance for fans FREE of charge.
Tickets will be available at the stadium on match day and distributed on a first come, first served basis.
If you cannot get to the venue, you can watch the Final streamed LIVE on FIFA+ wherever you are in the world.
The ultimate showdown awaits!@FAZFootball vs @Banyana_Banyana in #HCWC2024 final 🏆
— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) October 31, 2024
See you on Saturday at Isaac Wolfson Stadium! pic.twitter.com/LxvRXmvboE
Ochuba Lubanji and Fridah Mukoma capitalised on Malawi’s defensive errors in the second half to hand the Copper Queens a 2-0 victory while individually shooting to the summit of the top of the tournament goalscorers charts in a tightly contested game.
The first half saw Zambia create chances but they were unable to convert.
Malawi were also wasteful in front to goal in the opening half with captain Sabinah Thom and Asimenye Simwaka unable to combine.
Faith Chimzimu also had a shot at goal from range but could only land the ball on the roof of the net. Zambia head into the final as the only side yet to concede in the competition.
ғᴜʟʟ ᴛɪᴍᴇ sᴄᴏʀᴇs
— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) October 31, 2024
Malawi 🇲🇼 0-2 Zambia 🇿🇲 #HCWC2024 pic.twitter.com/HZwygFkaPK
BANYANA INTO THE FINAL
In the second semifinal, Mozambique’s Celia Miguel scored just after the half-hour mark, capitalising on poor communication between the South African defence and their goalkeeper Jessica Williams.
The sides had been exchanging possession with both having shots goal without any success.
Banyana Banyana got back into the game via a Tshegofatso Motlogelwa penalty after Shannon Macomo was fouled in the box at the stroke of half time, a decision that was helped by the consultation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) the first time in the two matches played on the day.
Motlogelwa could have completed a brace early in the second half but was denied by Neima Nhamire.
Just after the hour mark South Africa gave away a free-kick just outside the box, Aurora Ngale took it but it was an easy save for Williams.
South Africa finally scored their second goal in the 70th minute, but it was disallowed, leaving the tie to be decided by penalties.
ᴘᴇɴᴀʟᴛʏ ʀᴇsᴜʟᴛs -
— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) October 31, 2024
South Africa 🇿🇦 4 Mozambique 🇲🇿 1 #HCWC2024 pic.twitter.com/3eUJUAXarx
ROAD TO VICTORY 🏆
— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) October 31, 2024
Who will be crowned the 2024 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Champion?#HCWC2024 pic.twitter.com/mExTcZo6pT
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Semifinals
Malawi 0 Zambia 2 (Lubanji 46’, Mukoma 68’)
South Africa 1 (Motlogelwa 45’pen) Mozambique 1 (Miguel 34’)
South Africa won 4-1 on penalties
SATURDAY’S FIXTURE
Final – Wolfson Stadium
Zambia vs South Africa (KO 3pm)
© Cosafa.com
