Malawi defended their title with a 1-1 draw against Botswana, while Madagascar secured a decisive 5-1 victory over Mauritius on the second day of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa.
On the second day of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship held in Gqeberha, South Africa, defending champions Malawi commenced their title defense with a 1-1 draw against Botswana at Isaac Wolfson Stadium. In a contrasting match earlier in Group B, Madagascar triumphed with a decisive 5-1 victory over Mauritius. Malawi began the match strongly, establishing dominance in the opening twenty minutes. However, Botswana’s defense, under the command of their experienced captain and goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja, proved resilient. Notably, Boseja thwarted two attempts on goal from Malawi’s Asimenye Simwaka. The scoring was opened by Malawi at the 30-minute mark following a corner kick, where Faith Chinzimu capitalized on a loose ball to find the net. Botswana nearly equalized shortly afterward with a corner kick that culminated in a header by Lone Gaofetoge, which narrowly missed the target. Moments before halftime, Botswana finally took advantage of a well-constructed team move initiated by Keitumetse Dithebe, culminating in Laone Moloi’s equalizing goal. The second half saw a lack of significant scoring chances until Botswana nearly seized a lead when Moloi’s pass found Mochawe, whose shot strayed wide. In the later stages, Botswana’s Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse tested Malawi’s goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, who successfully saved the attempt. Sikelo later made a crucial save from substitute Yaone Modise near the match’s conclusion, securing a vital point for Malawi. With Madagascar’s win over Mauritius, they occupied the top spot in the group with three points, while Botswana gained one point. Malawi currently sits in third place, also with one point, while Mauritius remains at the bottom of the group. Noteworthy for Mauritius, it marked their history as they scored their inaugural goal in the tournament through the efforts of Julie Gopal.
The Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship is a prestigious tournament that showcases women’s football in Southern Africa. Teams from various countries compete for the title, and this year marks the continuation of Malawi’s title defense after their success in the previous edition. The championship is a platform for emerging talents and is critical for the growth of women’s football in the region. With Madagascar’s impressive win and Malawi’s draw, the group dynamics are forming early in the tournament, setting the stage for exciting matches ahead.
In summary, Day Two of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship presented compelling matches, highlighted by Malawi’s draw against Botswana and Madagascar’s substantial victory over Mauritius. Malawi’s ability to secure a point amid a determined Botswana side reflects their status as defending champions, while Madagascar’s performance positions them favorably in the tournament. As the groups continue to unfold, the competition remains fierce, with teams striving for advancement in the championship.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
