adminDEFENDING champions South Africa are on course to retain their title after beating Tanzania in the last group stage tie of the Cosafa Women’s Championship at Gwanzura.
A second half flashing header by Zanele Sukazi was enough for South Africa to finish top of Group B.
The goal duly came in the 71st minute after South Africa key player, Noko Matlou, swung in a ball from a corner kick that was met by Sukazi, who beat Fatuma Jawadu.
Apart from South Africa’s goal, the match was evenly balanced with Tanzania threatening each time they had possession.
South Africa were the first to attack, as early as the third minute.
Mamello Makhabane shrugged off the challenge of her marker before laying the ball to Matlou, whose shot went wide.
South Africa could have taken the lead in the 14th minute following a perfect delivery by Mary Ntsweng but Sukazi who failed to do justice to a good cross.
In the 33rd minute, a defence-splitting pass by Tanzania’s Asha Sada was met by onrushing Mwahamisi Omary, who could not direct her effort at goal.
South African captain Amanda Dlamini thought she had given her side the lead with her piledrive but assistant referee Stella Ruvinga had already flagged for offside.
The defending champions went into yesterday’s match missing the services of midfielder Yola Jafta, who was red-carded in Sunday’s tie against Botswana.
On the stroke of half-time, Matlou left her marker sprawling and fed Sukazi but her cracker was cleared off the line by Fatuma Salum.
Two minutes after the breather, Tanzania goalkeeper Jawadu made a mess of Sukazi’s shot but heaved a sigh of relief after the ball went out for a South African corner.
Tanzania key player Sada was unlucky not to find target when her ferocious shot from a free-kick hit the post with South Africa goalkeeper Thokozile Mndaweni already beaten.
South Africa coach Joseph Mkhonza was happy to be on course to defend the Cosafa trophy.
“The Tanzania players resorted to rough play but we stuck to our game plan and it worked.
“The match against Tanzania was the tough encounter in the group phase,” said Mkhonza.
Tanzania coach Charles Mkwasa was thrilled at guiding Tanzania to the semi-finals of Women Cosafa Championship.
“Zimbabwe is a strong and experienced side and their trump card is Rufaro Machingura hence we need to shut her out of the game,” Mkwasa said.
Teams:
South Africa
T. Mndaweni, M. Makhabane, S. Masina, J. Van, G. Hlumbane, S. Amanda, A. Dlamini, M. Ntsweng (R. Moodlay 70 minute), Z. Sukazi, N. Matlou (J. Seopesenwe 83 minute), N. Ntsibande
Tanzania:
F. Jawadu, S. Edward, M. Tamba, F. Bashiri, M. Abdallah, A. Sada, M. Omary, Z. Khamis (J. Kuga 68 minute), F. Swalehe, F. Salum, F. Hamdi (R. Hamis 73 minute).
Online Reporter