Lesotho’s Lishoeshoe edge closer to place in CAF U17 GIFT Zimbabwe 2025 final
Lesotho’s Lishoeshoe have taken a step closer to the final of the CAF Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) Zimbabwe 2025 after defeating Aguilla Stars from Zambia 1-0 in their Group B clash at Ngoni Stadium on Friday.
Ntsamaeng Tholo scored the all-important goal late in the first half to secure three points after the Aguila goalkeeper spilled the ball while attempting a catch.
Lishoeshoe have six points from their two games and will need just a point to be sure of advancing. If they lose their final match against Namibia’s Okakarara Golden Ladies on Monday, and Aguila beat South Africa’s Refilwe FC at the same time, it will come down to goal-difference as to who finishes top of the pool.
There were eight goals in the first fixture of the day between Okakarara Golden Ladies and Refilwe FC, which ended in an exciting 4-4 draw. The South African side led early through Pretty Modika’s strike and an own goal, but Rauna Uugulu pulled one back just before halftime. Modika then got her second, while Mbali Madondo added the side’s fourth.
However, they could not protect their lead as Nancy Lebang scored twice to earn the Namibian side their first point of the tournament.
Saturday is a rest day, and action will resume on Sunday with the Group A deciders: first between Luwinga Academy and Otjiwarongo at 12h00 CAT (10h00 GMT), followed by the battle for top spot between Mpopoma Sports Academy and Mamelodi Sundowns at 15h00 (13h00).
The top teams in each pool will contest next Thursday’s final, while the second-placed sides meet for third place, with further placement matches to determine positions 5–8.
Entrance to the Ngoni Stadium is FREE and fans anywhere in the world can follow the action live on CAF TV and COSAFA’s YouTube Channel.
CAF introduced the GIFT U17 tournament to give club teams in this age group the opportunity to compete against their peers across their region, complementing the events already staged for national teams.
CAF has made the growth of women’s football a key aspect of its development agenda, and this tournament provides young players with the chance to showcase their skills and gain experience.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Okakarara Golden Ladies 4 (Uugulu 45′, Garises 52′, Lebang 66′, 85′) Refilwe FC 4 (Modika 25′, 63′, Dube 45’og, Madondo 75′)
Aguila Stars 0 Lishoeshoe 1 (Tholo 40’)
STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 18 | 6 |
| Mpopoma Sports Academy (Zimbabwe) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 6 |
| Luwinga Academy (Malawi) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
| Otjiwarongo Sports Academy (Namibia) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | -28 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Lishoeshoe (Lesotho) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Aguila Stars (Zambia) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Refilwe FC (South Africa) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 1 |
| Okakarara Golden Ladies (Namibia) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 1 |
TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
Matches Played: 8
Goals Scored: 57
Biggest Win: Otjiwarongo Sports Academy 0 Mamelodi Sundowns 16 (Group A, December 11)
Most goals in a game: 16 – Otjiwarongo Sports Academy 0 Mamelodi Sundowns 16 (Group A, December 11)
GOALSCORERS
5 goals – Chiedza Khumalo (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Sandra Mugwara (Mamelodi Sundowns)
4 – Pretty Modika (Refilwe)
3 – Angeleque Mohatle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lesego Tsatsi (Mamelodi Sundowns)
2 – Luyando Banda (Aguila Stars), Alicia Chinyoka (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Shantel Gwenhamo (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Nancy Lebang (Okakarara Golden Ladies), Katleho Malebana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Boiketlo Molise (Lishoeshoe), Nsovo Nxumalo (Mamelodi Sundowns), Princess Shongwe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ntsamaeng Tholo (Lishoeshoe)
1 – Rejoice Chamunorwa (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Beatrice Chipupula (Aguila Stars), Tatenda Gambiza (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Gudness Garises (Okakarara Golden Ladies), Mercy Gondwe (Luwinga Academy), Mampona Lekenyane (Lishoeshoe), Mbali Madondo (Refilwe FC), Boitumelo Manaka (Mamelodi Sundowns), Naleli Morie (Lishoeshoe), Ntokozo Mpofu (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Anashe Mudzingwa (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Serah Musonda (Aguila Stars), Ronisha Nair (Mamelodi Sundowns), Beauty Namukonda (Aguila Stars), Lyndah Rakabopa (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Rejoice Silungwe (Luwinga Academy), Rauna Uugulu (Okakarara Golden Ladies)
Own goal – Emily Dube (Okakarara Golden Ladies), Makgatla Ramahla (Refilwe)
