The Twiga Stars of Tanzania are the champions of the COSAFA Women’s Championship 2021.

Tnaznai defeated Malawi 1-0 in the final played on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Enekia Lunyamila netted the lone goal in the 64^th minute off a rebound after Malawi’s goalkeeper Ruth Mhango had parried the ball back into play.

Ealier Fazila Chembekezo and Ireen Khumalo also had missed chances for Malawi. It was all celebrations for the Tanzanian side that had never got to the final of this tournament since 2019.

“We have worked hard to win this trophy. I thank my players because they have put in a lot of effort to get here,” said a happy Tanzanian coach Bakari Nyundo Shime.

Zambia settled for bronze after they defeated South Africa 4-3 in penalty shoot outs after they had settled for a 1-1 draw.

Twiga Stars captain who was also MVP for the final was voted Player of the Tournament. South Africa’s Sibulele Holweni scooped the top scorer’s Award with 5 goals, and Zambia’s Petronela Musole was voted  Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Zambia picking up the Fair Play award.

CAF 5th Vice President Kanizat Ibrahim also graced the final and thanked COSAFA for the good organisation of the tournament.

Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan were the three guest sides that featured in the 12-team tournament which kicked off on September 28^th.

The Twiga Stars of Tanzania will be all out to try and win their first COSAFA Women’s Championship title this afternoon when they face Malawi.

Tanzania ejected Zambia 3-2 at the semi final stage after a 1-1 draw, while Malawi shocked 2020 champions South Africa 3-2 in the second semi-final.

But the stakes promise to be higher at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this afternoon as the Twiga Stars come all out to try to re-write history. “We have played in this tournament since 2019 and never got this far. This is the time we must win this trophy now,” said Tanzania’s coach Bakari Nyundo Shime.

The coach made it clear that playing in a final is not like playing at the other levels. “The stakes will be very high and we must take our chances. Malawi play almost like Zambia and we know it will be a tough match. But my players are ready to deliver,” added Shime.

Tanzania started the tournament with a 3-0 win against Zimbabwe, before stopping 2020 runners up Botswana 2-0 and ending the group matches with a 3-0 victory against South Sudan.

But Malwi’s coach Mcnelbert Kadzuwa made it clear that his team will not be easy to beat. “We are like a hungry lion now. After stopping South Africa at the semi final, we are determined to go all the way and lift the trophy. We must take the trophy home,” said Kadzuwa.

While Tanzania will look to the inspirational skipper Amina Bilali, Stumai Athuman and Moroccan based professional Mwanahamisi Omary Shurua, the Malawi side will hope that Sabinanh Thom who has netted three goals in the tournament can find her sharpness on the day.

But before the final, South Africa will face Zambia in a play-off match to decide who finishes third. The tournament which kicked off on September 28^th attracted 12 teams.

Leading goalscorers

4 goals – Sibulele Holweni (South Africa)

3 – Stumai Athuman (Tanzania), Grace Chanda (Zambia), Ochumba Lubandji (Zambia), Refiloe Tholakele (Botswana), Sabinah Thom (Malawi)

2 – Margaret Belemu (Zambia), Cidalia Cuta (Mozambique), Melinda Kgadiete (South Africa), Cina Manuel (Mozambique), Donisia Minja (Tanzania), Hasifah Nassuna (Uganda), Rudo Neshamba (Zimbabwe), Mwanahamisi Shurua (Tanzania)

The Twiga Stars of Tanzania have qualified for the final of the COSAFA Women’s Championship 2021.

It was the substitute goalkeeper for the Twiga Stars Zubeda Mgunda who saved three spot kicks to help Tanzania win the penalty shoot out 3-2 in a match played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The match had ended 1-1 after  90 minutes.

Tanzania benefited from an own goal by Lushomo Mweemba after 16 minutes. Mwanahamisi Omary Shurua run in the box and her shot was deflected by Mweemba.

The Zambian team continued to push infront, but the Twiga Stars defenders stood firm. After 35 minutes Zambia’s captain Grace Chanda’s long shot was saved by Tanzania’s goalkeeper Janeth Simba.

In the second half Zambia’s Copper Queens pushed forward and were rewarded after 69 minutes. Chanda took advantage of goalkeeper Simba’s movement off her line and fired in a long shot to make it 1-1. It was Chanda’s third goal of the tournament.

With few minutes to the end of the match Tanzania’s coach Bakari Nyundo Shime replaced goalkeeper Janeth Simba and brought on Mgunda.

Ngunda saved three penalties by Margeret Belemu, Lushomo Mweemba and Ochumba Oseke Lubandji. Elizabeth Mupeso and Agness Musase converted their kicks. Enekia Kasonga Lunyamila, Fatuma Suleimani and Opa Tukumbuke converted their penalties for Tanzania’s Twiga Stars, while skipper Amina Bilali missed.

“I am happy we won the semi final despite playing minus some injured players. Am happy with the result,” said Tanzania’s coach Shime.

Zambia’s coach Florence Nkatya admitted that they had lost to a good Tanzanian side. “Our team was too much under pressure,” added Nkatya.

Tanzania will now face Malawi in the final on Saturday. The Malawi team shocked South Africa 3-2 in the second semi final match played on Thursday.

The semi finals of the COSAFA Women’s Championship will take centre stage this afternoon at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Twiga Stars of Tanzania will face Zambia in the first encounter, before the reigning champions South Africa take on Malawi in the second semi final clash.

Uganda and South Sudan, all exited the tournament at the group stage to leave Tanzania as the only team from the CECAFA region still in contention for the trophy.

To reach the knock out stage Twiga Stars beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in the opening Group B match, before seeing off Botswana 2-0 and defeating South Sudan 3-0.

Bakari Nyundo Shime, the Tanzania head coach said his team is well prepared to face Zambia. “The match against Zambia will be very tough and competitive. The team with the best strategy will win,” added Shime.

He said despite having some two injury worries, the players are very confident. “We are the two teams that have not conceded after three matches,” he added.

The Zambia Copper Queens coach Florence Nkatya told Cecafaonline that she expected a very tough game against Tanzania. “Yes there will be some tactical changes. We know that the Tanzania team will come out compact and concentrate on closing out our key players,” added Nkatya.

While Stumai Athuman and Mwanahamisi Shurua who have five goals between them for Tanzania will hope to increase their tally in the tournament, Ochumba Lubandji with three goals and Margaret Belemu will be the players to watch for the Zambia team.

The second semi final clash will be a repeat for a Group A match that ended 2-1in favour of the Banyana Banyana.

After the semi finals today, the playoff and final of the tournament will climax on Octover 9^th.

Leading scorers

3 goals – Stumai Athuman (Tanzania), Ochumba Lubandji (Zambia), Refiloe Tholakele (Botswana)

2 – Margaret Belemu (Zambia), Grace Chanda (Zambia), Cidalia Cuta (Mozambique), Sibulele Holweni (South Africa), Melinda Kgadiete (South Africa), Cina Manuel (Mozambique), Donisia Minja (Tanzania), Hasifah Nassuna (Uganda), Rudo Neshamba (Zimbabwe), Mwanahamisi Shurua (Tanzania)