COSAFA Women's Championship 2021
Tanzania face tough Zambia hurdle in COSAFA Women’s Championship semi final
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 9th.
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)