Nobahle Mdelwa drives South Africa back to winning ways
South Africa’s u20 women’s football team returned to winning ways on Friday after suffering a 0-3 defeat to Zambia on Wednesday. The home side delivered a decisive performance to defeat Lesotho 3-0 at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Soweto Campus Stadium.
Following a rest day on Thursday, action in the u20 Women’s Cosafa Championship resumed on Friday, with the South African side focussed on getting back into the win column, while Zambia was out to preserve their perfect record.
Lesotho, thrashed 9-0 by Zambia in their opening match on Tuesday, was aiming for a first victory, while Botswana, who had suffered a narrow 2-3 setback against Mozambique on Wednesday, was aiming to upset the apple cart against the high flying Zambians.
South Africa’s coach Maud Khumalo opted to rest several players for the Lesotho game, which allowed her to assess how others performed when given a start. Khumalo, though, kept a strong core, which included captain Mmabatho Mogale, Nobahle Mdelwa, and Asanda Mchunu.
South Africa dominated the clash, with Mdelwa producing an exceptional performance, which included scoring a goal and assisting on the other two, which led to her, deservedly, being named the Player of the Match. Adrielle Mibe and Gugu Mabitsela also netted for the hosts.
The Copper Queens, Zambia, maintained their unbeaten status with an emphatic 6-0 win over Botswana to improve to a record of three wins and no losses. In those three victories, they’ve scored 18 times without conceding.
In another impressive outing, Jacqueline Nambeya fired Zambia into the lead just one minute into the game. Further goals were scored by Saliya Mwanza, captain Mary Mbewe, Edith Phiri, and Ruth Muwowo. The sixth goal for the Zambians was an own goal, scored by the unfortunate Ivy Mankgatau.
Zambia, with a handsome record, remains the hot favourite to win the Cosafa Championship. On Saturday, they face Mozambique at midday. In the day’s other game, Lesotho takes on Botswana.
The event concludes on Sunday, with South Africa tackling Botswana and Mozambique playing Lesotho. By then, Zambia could have already clinched the title, if they win against Mozambique.
