Refilwe held to a high scoring draw in Caf Gift Tournament

Refilwe has been eliminated from contention for a place in the final of the u17 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) after an playing to an entertaining 4-4 draw with Okakarara Golden Ladies, in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Friday.

Ahead of the match, the sides were in the bottom two of the four-team Group B, with South Africa’s Refilwe in third and Namibia’s Okakarara propping up the table.

Both teams lost their opening matches, so there was plenty at stake on Friday. They rose to the occasion and produced an exhilarating eight-goal thriller, but a share of the points ended their chances of playing for the title.

Refilwe struck first, taking the lead with a goal from Pretty Modika, and they were soon sitting pretty at 2-0 after benefitting from an Okakarara own goal.

That advantage soon shrunk, however, with Rauna Uugulu pulling one back just before halftime to make it 2-1 at the break.

In the second half, Refilwe’s Modika netted her second goal, while Mbali Madondo scored the Pretoria club’s fourth.

Refilwe appeared to be on course for victory, but Okakarara hung tough and battled their way back into the contest. Two goals from Nancy Lebang and another from Gudness Garises rescued a 4-4 draw for the Namibians and resulted in a first point for both sides in the competition.

Their draw, though, enabled Lesotho’s Lishoeshoe to increase their lead in the group, thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Aguila Stars, of Zambia. Ntsamaeng Tholo scored the crucial match-winner late in the first half, making Aguila Stars pay after their goalkeeper mishandled the ball.

It was Lishoeshoe’s second win in succession, giving them the maximum six points from their first two matches. They’ll need only one more point from their last group match to be sure of a place in the final.

If Lishoeshoe was to lose their final match against Namibia’s Okakarara Golden Ladies on Monday, and Aguila won against South Africa’s Refilwe FC, goal difference would determine the top position in the pool. Lishoeshoe, of course, has the advantage of a win in their head-to-head against. Aguila Stars.

Forthcoming Fixtures: Final Group Matches

Sunday, 14 December

12:00 

Luwinga Sports Academy vs Otjwarongo Sports Academy

15:00 

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Mpopoma Sports Academy

Monday, 15 December

12:00

Lishoeshoe vs Okakarara Golden Ladies

15:00

Aguila Stars vs Refilwe

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Siya Pongco

A passionate reader and dedicated writer, Siya possesses three degrees from Rhodes University including a Postgraduate Diploma at Rhodes University. He also played amateur cricket and soccer, both during his university years. While honing his journalism skills at Grocott’s Mail in Makhanda, he developed a profound interest in the community’s response to crime. Additionally, he covered topics such as art/culture and student politics at Rhodes University in 2022. In his spare time, Siya can be found exploring galleries, dining at restaurants, indulging in literature, taking photographs or savouring his favourite dish, spaghetti.

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