Tanzania edge Zambia to qualify for COSAFA Women’s Championship final

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.