Women’s Championship: Namibia upset South Africa to win title

Unfancied Namibia senior women’s team grabbed the COSAFA Women’s Championship title after coming from behind to upset hosts South Africa 2-1 in extra-time on Sunday.

Nthabiseng Majiya had put Banyana Banyana ahead with a first-half strike at New Peter Mokaba Stadium Stadium only for Muhinatjo Havani to level matters after the break and substitute Memory Ngonda grabbed the winner in first-half extra-time.

Banyana Banyana get off to promising start

Mamelodi Ladies striker Majiya opened the scoring early in the first half from a rebound after the Brave Gladiators goalkeeper Melissa Matheus had cleared a high ball onto her path.

GOALLLL!!!!! 🔥🔥⚽️
Nthabiseng Majiya scores the opener for Sasol Banyana Banyana in the Final of the  Championship
South Africa 🇿🇦 1 – 0 Namibia 🇳🇦 pic.twitter.com/vbfSzI4DKW

— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) March 1, 2026

The Brave Gladiators had a few chances on which nearly paid dividends when energetic playmaker Zenatha Coleman won and took a freekick which for a moment seemed to have escaped the grasp of Casey Gordon, but JVW FC custodian gathered it after an earlier fumble in the 54^th minute.

A minute later, the Brave Gladiators’ threat translated into something as Havani equalised with a long-range dipping effort after seeing Gordon way off her line.

Forward Bonolo Mokoma tried to replicate Havani’s strike on the other end of the pitch, but her chipped strike from range flew over the bar, much to the relief off busy Namibia keeper Melissa Matheus.

How Namibia claimed COSAFA title in the end

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made changes while chasing the game. Majiya came close to scoring, but she was denied by Matheus’ brave defending after coming off her line.

Both teams could not be separated in 90 minutes paving the way for extra-time which saw substitute Ngonda scoring with a tap in from a rebound after Gordon had punched a shot from Coleman. Banyana Banyana are the record seven-time champions.

The goal energised the Brave Warriors who eventually switched into a defensive mode while winding down the clock. Substitute striker Zoe October nearly snatched a late equaliser for Desiree Ellis’ girls from a header, but her effort bounced off the frame.

To reach the semifinal stage, South Africa defeated Zimbabwe 4-2 on post-match penalties while Namibia saw off fancied Zambia with a 1-0 victory. The Copper Queens, the deposed champions, settled for a bronze medal finish after beating the Mighty Warriors 3-1 in a third-place play-off on Sunday.

For South Africa, Zambia and Malawi, the regional football tournament served as a timely warm up for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals which were supposed to kick off on March 17, but CAF has postponed it indefinitely.

Unfancied Namibia senior women’s team grabbed the COSAFA Women’s Championship title after coming from behind to upset hosts South Africa 2-1 in extra-time on Sunday, producing one of the most memorable finals in recent regional history.

Nthabiseng Majiya had put Banyana Banyana ahead with a first-half strike at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, only for Muhinatjo Havani to level matters after the break before substitute Memory Ngonda grabbed the winner in first-half extra-time.

Banyana Banyana get off to a promising start

South Africa began the final brightly and showed early attacking intent. Mamelodi Ladies striker Majiya opened the scoring in the first half from a rebound after the Brave Gladiators goalkeeper Melissa Matheus had initially cleared a high ball onto her path. The early breakthrough energized the home supporters and appeared to put the defending champions in firm control.

The hosts dominated possession during the opening exchanges, moving the ball confidently across midfield while probing for gaps in the opposition defence. However, despite their territorial advantage, clear-cut chances remained limited as the Brave Gladiators gradually settled into the contest.

The turning point began to emerge midway through the second half. Energetic playmaker Zenatha Coleman won a free kick in a dangerous position and stepped up to take it herself. Her effort momentarily troubled Casey Gordon, who fumbled before eventually gathering the ball in the 54th minute.

Just a minute later, persistence paid off. Havani spotted Gordon off her line and unleashed a stunning long-range dipping strike that sailed into the net to make it 1-1. The equaliser shifted momentum completely and injected fresh belief into the underdogs.

Forward Bonolo Mokoma attempted to respond quickly for South Africa, trying to replicate Havani’s effort at the other end, but her ambitious chip flew over the bar. Matheus remained alert throughout, commanding her area with confidence and making key interventions when required.