On the second day of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship, Malawi defended their title with a 1-1 draw against Botswana, while Madagascar achieved a commanding 5-1 victory over Mauritius. Malawi’s draw was marked by a strong defensive display from Botswana and crucial saves from goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo. In the earlier match, Madagascar took the lead in Group B, showcasing impressive performance from their players.
In a competitive outing on the second day of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship held in Gqeberha, South Africa, defending champions Malawi commenced their title defense with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Botswana at Isaac Wolfson Stadium. Meanwhile, Madagascar showcased their dominance in Group B by decisively defeating Mauritius with a scoreline of 5-1. Malawi displayed a stronger performance in the initial 20 minutes of their match against Botswana, but the latter’s formidable defense, led by captain and goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja, proved difficult to breach. Despite a valiant effort from Asimenye Simwaka of Malawi, who had two close attempts thwarted by the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies goalkeeper, the breakthrough came when Malawi earned a corner kick shortly before the half-hour mark, leading to Faith Chinzimu capitalizing on a loose ball to score. Botswana responded well, almost equalizing shortly after conceding when Kesegofetse Mochawe’s corner found Lone Gaofetoge, whose header just missed the target. However, five minutes before halftime, Botswana executed a well-constructed team effort that culminated in Laone Moloi scoring the equalizer. As the second half began, opportunities were scarce until Botswana nearly seized the lead with a shot from Mochawe, which sailed wide. In the closing minutes, Malawi’s goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo made critical saves, including one against substitute Yaone Modise, maintaining the draw for her team. In the earlier match, Madagascar emerged as the leaders of Group B with a resounding performance. The island nation scored five goals, with Sarah Rasoanandrasana notching two, alongside contributions from Sylvia Mamonjy, Helisoa Kanto, and Louisa Nambininjanahary. Mauritius, despite their loss, celebrated a significant milestone by scoring their first goal in tournament history through Julie Gopal. Looking ahead, Day 3 will introduce the initial matches in Groups C and D, with Zambia taking on Angola, and Mozambique facing Zimbabwe. Fans can attend these matches for free, with tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Matches will also be available for streaming live on Fifa+.
The Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship is a prominent tournament in Southern Africa that showcases women’s soccer talents from different nations. The competition features multiple groups, where teams vie for the championship title, bringing together both established teams and newcomers. The current tournament marks a significant opportunity for players to gain international experience, while also highlighting the growth of women’s football in the region.
The matches on Day 2 of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship provided exciting moments, with Madagascar asserting their strength in Group B, while Malawi and Botswana battled to a draw. The tournament promises to be competitive as teams aim to advance, with upcoming fixtures expected to draw significant attention. Notably, Mauritius celebrated a historic moment with their inaugural goal in the tournament, adding to the day’s significance.
Original Source: supersport.com
