COSAFA wrap: Malawi edge Angola as Banyana top Group A

Malawi signed off from the 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship with a 1-0 victory over Angola on Tuesday, though the result was not enough to prevent their exit from the competition. Meanwhile, tournament hosts Banyana Banyana maintained their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw against Lesotho.

Going into the final Group A clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, the Scorchers were painfully aware that their semi-final hopes had already evaporated. With only the three group winners and the single best runner-up advancing, Zimbabwe’s seven-point finish in Group B officially mathematically eliminated Malawi, who could only reach a maximum of six points.

Malawi’s Fighting Spirit At COSAFA

𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞:

Angola 🇦🇴 0-1 Malawi 🇲🇼
(Ireen Khumalo)#CWC2025 #Hollywoodbets #HollywoodbetsCWC2025 pic.twitter.com/O6s3lUlK7N

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) February 24, 2026

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the knockout stages, Lovemore Fazili’s side showed great character against Angola.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 77th minute following a moment of fortune. Angola’s Paulina Sambo committed a needless foul on Letitia Chinyamula, resulting in a free-kick near the halfway line. Defender Ireen Khumalo delivered a high, looping ball that appeared harmless, but it caught goalkeeper Mari Muecalia off her line and sailed into the net to secure the win.

COSAFA: Banyana Banyana and Lesotho Thrill the Crowd

𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞:

Banyana Banyana are through to the semifinals and top Group A with 7 points!

🇿🇦South Africa 1 (Mphelo 38’)- 1 Lesotho (Moalosi 30’) 🇱🇸#CWC2025 #Hollywoodbets #HollywoodbetsCWC2025 pic.twitter.com/WcM3ZX0JwM

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) February 24, 2026

In the group’s other fixture at Seshego Stadium, South Africa and Lesotho produced a captivating display of attacking football. Although Banyana Banyana had already secured their COSAFA semi-final berth prior to kickoff, both sides played with high intensity.

Against the run of play, Lesotho took a shock lead on the half-hour mark. Makhotso Moalusi won a foot race against the South African defence before unleashing a powerful, rising drive that rattled the far post and deflected into the net.

The goal jolted the hosts into action, and they found an equaliser just eight minutes later. Midfielder Thorisho Mphelo timed her run perfectly to latch onto a long ball that bypassed the Lesotho backline, calmly slotting a low finish past the diving Lineo Fanyane.

The second half was fast and furious as the action swung from end to end. Lesotho’s Fanyane was the standout performer, producing a world-class save in the 68th minute to deny Sibongankoke Mzobe. She was called into action again late in the game to fingertip a dipping “bullet” from Zoe October over the bar.

South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia now await the winner of Group C—either Namibia or Madagascar—to complete the semi-final lineup.