Online Reporter
THE Young Mighty Warriors battled to fourth place at the 2025 COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship yesterday, as Zambia displayed their dominance with a resounding 3-0 victory over Malawi, solidifying their spot as consecutive champions.
It is the Zambians’ third regional crown in this age-group, making them the most successful team, with Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa the other winners since the inaugural event in 2019.
Malawi completed their best finish with a silver medal, having ended third on home soil in 2022.
Mozambique took the bronze medal with a see-saw 3-2 win over Zimbabwe in the third-place play-off.
Thandy Nassone gave Mozambique the lead, but Zimbabwe hit back via Shantell Mugute. That joy was short-lived as Zimbabwe goalkeeper Tanyaradzwa Nyamucherera netted an own goal.
Zimbabwe were level again when the youngest member of their squad — 12-year-old Legends Football Academy striker Dee Mapuwa scored her sixth goal of the tournament to finish one behind Nancy Lebang from hosts Namibia in the scorers’ chart.
But the winner for Mozambique came with seven minutes remaining as Jessica Andicene found the back of the net.
Ruth Mukoma of Zambia was named Player of the Tournament, while Nancy Lebang took home the Golden Boot for her seven goals, all scored against Comoros.
Zambian goalkeeper Butata Kakumbi won the Golden Glove, with the team conceding only a single goal in their four games, which was against Zimbabwe in the semi-finals.
Malawi took home the Fair Play Award. — Sports Reporter/cosafa.com
Online Reporter