On the second day of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship, Malawi drew 1-1 with Botswana, while Madagascar triumphed over Mauritius with a score of 5-1. This establishes Madagascar at the top of Group B, followed by Botswana and Malawi, with Mauritius in last place. Significant performances were noted, including key saves from Malawi’s Mercy Sikelo and multiple goals from Madagascar’s Sarah Rasoanandrasana.
In the second day of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship in Gqeberha, South Africa, defending champions Malawi began their title defense with a 1-1 draw against Botswana at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium. Meanwhile, Madagascar significantly outperformed Mauritius, achieving a decisive 5-1 victory earlier in the day. Malawi exhibited a robust performance during the first 20 minutes, yet Botswana’s reliable defense, fortified by their captain and goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja, proved resilient. The match saw Malawi break the deadlock with a corner-kick just before the half-hour mark, exploited by Faith Chinzimu who netted the first goal. Though Botswana sought to equalize immediately following the goal, they missed a promising opportunity from a header by Lone Gaofetoge. Five minutes ahead of half-time, Botswana managed to find their rhythm, culminating in Laone Moloi scoring the equalizer following an impressive team build-up, initiated by Keitumetse Dithebe and culminating with Lesego Radiakanyo’s pivotal assist. The second half unfolded with limited scoring chances for both teams. Botswana nearly took the lead when Mochawe’s shot went astray. In the final moments, Malawi’s goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo made crucial saves to preserve the draw. In the earlier Group B fixture, Madagascar’s imposing performance included a brace from Sarah Rasoanandrasana and goals from Sylvia Mamonjy, Helisoa Kanto, and Louisa Nambininjanahary. Despite a historic moment for Mauritius, who scored their first goal in Cosafa Championship history through Julie Gopal, they faced a tough loss against Madagascar. This outcome places Madagascar at the top of Group B with three points, followed by Botswana with one point, and Malawi also holding one point, while Mauritius stands at the bottom of the group. Upcoming matches will feature Group C and D teams, including 2022 champions Zambia and Angola, providing fans with the opportunity to witness the games live at the stadium or via streaming services.
The Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship is an annual football tournament that showcases national women’s teams from southern Africa. This year’s championship is particularly notable as it witnesses the participation of defending champions Malawi along with other competitive teams. The tournament not only serves as a platform for these national teams to display their talents but also aims to promote women’s football within the region. Matches are taking place in Gqeberha, South Africa, and are drawing significant attention from football enthusiasts and supporters alike, with free access to fans.
In summary, the second day of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship featured a competitive draw between Malawi and Botswana, alongside Madagascar’s resounding victory over Mauritius. As the group stages continue, all eyes will remain on these teams as they strive for advancement in the tournament. The historic goal by Mauritius signifies a positive development for women’s football in the region.
Original Source: supersport.com
