South Africa goalkeeper Casey Gordon punches the ball. Photo COSAFA Media.
Zambia under-20 women’s national football team coach Charles Haalubono has praised ‘highly tactical’ South Africa after beating the COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship hosts 3-0 in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
In a post-match interview, the Zambian said he watched the game as a fan and a coach, as he is a big admirer of South African football opposition.
“It was a good game. We played a highly tactical and technically good team. I always tell myself that when we are against South Africa, I get many lessons from how they play. I like their style of play. The tactical approach of the team is so good,” Haalubono told a news conference.
Taking her turn, South Africa coach Maunde Khumalo said she could not fault her players for the loss, as they did not have enough training time before the game.
“Congratulations to Zambia. What happened today, we knew that this game would not be easy looking at how Zambia plays. It was going to be a final before the actual final. It was going to be a very tactical and physical game. I am proud of the girls because they fought and given the fact that they did not train. It was a good test for us and I am so proud of the girls,” she said.
Zambia thumped the hosts through second-half goals from Ruth Muwowo, Saliya Mwanza and Jessy Zulu at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus to increase chances of winning the five-team event, which kicked off on Tuesday.
Zambia lead Group A comfortably with six points after having thumped Lesotho 9-0 on the opening day of the competition on Tuesday. Zambians next face Botswana on Friday at 10noon GMT whereas South Africa hope to bounce back when meeting Lesotho in a 12noon (GMT) kick-off.
In an earlier kickoff at the same Soweto venue on Wednesday, Mozambique edged Botswana 3-2 in a five-goal thriller courtesy of a brace from Joana Mossueie and one strike from the penalty spot by Armenia Mchava.
Dimpho Sedirwa and Yaone Modise’s goals were not enough for Botswana. On the other hand, it was a timely response for the Mozambicans who opened the competition with a huge 4-0 loss to South Africa on Tuesday.
The tournament has returned after a five-year hiatus with guests Tanzania winning the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2019. The team that will accumulate the most points will win the championship.
FRIDAY'S FIXTURES
Botswana vs Zambia (KO 12:00 p.m.; 10:00 a.m. GMT)
South Africa vs Lesotho (KO 3:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. GMT)
GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Adrielle Mibe (South Africa), Ruth Muwowo (Zambia),
2 – Bwalya Chileshe (Zambia), Lubasi Pumelo (Zambia), Joana Mossueie (Mozambique), Saliya Mwanza (Zambia), Jessy Zulu (Zambia)
1 – Armenia Machava (Mozambique), Mary Mbewe (Zambia), Thato Mafolo (South Africa), Yaone Modise (Botswana), Dimpho Sedirwa (Botswana).
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