EN, FR, PR: Madagascar defeat Namibia 1-0 in Polokwane to leave Group C open
Madagascar stunned Namibia with a 1-0 victory in the second match in Group C at the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship 2025 at Seshego Stadium in Polokwane on Monday.
Nomenjanahary Edoxie set up Aimee Razanampiavy after 24 minutes for the all-important goal that lifts Madagascar to three points, level with Namibia’s Brave Gladiators, but ahead on the head-to-head rule.
Madagascar need just a point in their final pool match against Mozambique on Wednesday to advance to the semi-finals as pool winners, while Namibia will all three teams finish on three points given their better goal-difference.
Namibia coach Lesley Kavuka made two changes to the starting line-up from the opening win over Mozambique, with Nancy Lebang and Julia Rutjindo coming in for Lorraine Jossob and Mujinatjo Hanavi.
Namibia could have taken the lead early from a free-kick as Zenatha Coleman delivered for Lovisa Mulunga, but Madagascar goalkeeper Veresantatra Diana was quickly off her line to make the save.
Leena Alweendo and Millicent Hikuam also went close, but both shots drifted wide. Lebang then tested Diana five minutes before the break, the Madagascar keeper again racing out to produce a superb stop.
The second half saw Namibia push harder for an equaliser and win a series of set-pieces, but they were repeatedly denied by Diana’s athleticism and awareness.
Fresh legs from the Namibian bench made little difference as they struggled to capitalise on possession and dead-ball situations. Madagascar looked for a second, and Sylvia Mamonjy was unlucky not to hit the target in the closing 10 minutes.
Groups A and B will be concluded on Tuesday when the final round of matches is played.
South Africa have already sealed top spot in Group A, but Malawi and Angola will face off at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium (15h00 CAT / 13h00 GMT) to decide who finishes second and keeps alive hopes of advancing as the best runner-up from the pool stage.
At the same time, South Africa meet Lesotho at Seshego Stadium in what is effectively a dead rubber, with Lesotho already eliminated.
Group B remains wide open, with defending champions Zambia currently ahead of Zimbabwe on goal difference only.
Zambia take on Eswatini at Seshego Stadium (12h00 CAT / 10h00 GMT), while Zimbabwe face Botswana at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium at the same time.
All four teams could still advance, though it would require victories for Eswatini and Botswana to leave the pool with four teams on four points and bring the best runner-up permutations sharply into focus.
Entrance for fans to all matches will be FREE of charge. Tickets are distributed on a first come, first served basis. You can view all of the fixtures here.
If you cannot get to the stadium, you can watch all matches streamed LIVE on FIFA+ and COSAFA’s YouTube channel,
MONDAY’S RESULT
Group C – Seshego Stadium
Namibia 0 Madagascar 1 (Razanampiavy 24’)
TUESDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B – Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Zimbabwe vs Botswana (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Group B – Seshego Stadium
Zambia vs Eswatini (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Group A – Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Angola vs Malawi (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Group A – Seshego Stadium
South Africa vs Lesotho (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| South Africa (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Malawi | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Angola | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Lesotho | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zambia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Zimbabwe | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Eswatini | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
| Botswana | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Madagascar | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3* |
| Namibia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3* |
| Mozambique | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
* Madagascar lead on head-to-head rule
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 10
Goals scored: 27
Biggest victory: Malawi 8 Lesotho 1 (Group A, February 21)
Most goals in a game: 9 – Malawi 8 Lesotho 1 (Group A, February 21)
GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Deborah Henry (Malawi)
2 – Ireen Khumalo (Malawi), Makhotso Moalosi (Lesotho)
1 – Leena Alweendo (Namibia), Susan Banda (Zambia), Regina Chanda (Zambia), Vanessa Chikupila (Malawi), Millicent Hikuam (Namibia), Sibulele Holweni (South Africa), Arminda Lopes (Angola), Cristina Makua (Angola), Rutendo Makore (Zimbabwe), Nolofatso Mamela (Botswana), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Malawi), Nonjabuliso Mokgale (Eswatini), Bonolo Mokoma (South Africa), Nonhlanhla Mthandi (South Africa), Kabange Mupopo (Zambia), Olivia Phikani (Malawi), Aimee Razanampiavy (Madagascar), Gabriela Salgado (South Africa), Maria Viera (Angola), Praynance Zvawanda (Zimbabwe)
Début de rêve pour Madagascar
La sixième journée de la Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship 2025, qui se déroule actuellement à Polokwane, a rendu son verdict ce lundi avec une affiche cruciale dans le groupe C. Madagascar a réussi son entrée en matière en s’imposant sur la plus petite des marges (1-0) face à la Namibie. L’unique but de la rencontre a été inscrit par Razanampiavy à la 24e minute de jeu. Ce résultat redistribue les cartes dans cette poule, puisque les Malgaches rejoignent leurs adversaires du jour avec trois points, mais avec un match en moins au compteur.
La compétition monte d’un cran ce mardi avec quatre rencontres déterminantes pour l’accès au dernier carré. Dès 12h, le Groupe B livrera son verdict final. La Zambie, leader grâce à une meilleure différence de buts et forte de son succès record (3-0 contre le Botswana), affrontera l’Eswatini. Simultanément, le Zimbabwe défiera le Botswana avec l’ambition de décrocher la première place qualificative.
À 15h, la pression se déplacera sur le Groupe A. L’Afrique du Sud, impériale avec deux victoires en deux sorties, tentera de réaliser le sans-faute face au Lesotho. Dans le même temps, l’Angola et le Malawi se livreront un duel à distance pour la place de meilleur deuxième ou pour un éventuel renversement de situation en tête de groupe.
Sur le plan statistique, le tournoi affiche un bilan offensif de 27 buts en 10 matchs. Le Malawi se distingue particulièrement avec une force de frappe impressionnante, portée par Deborah, actuelle meilleure buteuse du tournoi avec 3 réalisations, suivie de sa compatriote Khumalo qui compte 2 buts. Derrière ce duo, une vingtaine de joueuses, dont Razanampiavy pour Madagascar ou encore les Sud-Africaines Holweni et Mokoma, ont trouvé le chemin des filets à une reprise.
Pour l’heure, l’Afrique du Sud domine le Groupe A avec 6 points, tandis que la lutte reste acharnée dans le Groupe B où la Zambie et le Zimbabwe se partagent la tête avec 4 points chacun. Les matchs de ce mardi s’annoncent donc décisifs pour désigner les nations qui poursuivront l’aventure dans cette édition 2025.
Madagáscar surpreende e relança Grupo C
A Selecção de Madagáscar entrou com o pé direito na 13.ª edição do COSAFA Women’s Championship ao vencer ontem a Namíbia por 1-0, no Seshego Stadium, em Polokwane, resultado que relança por completo as contas do Grupo C e adia qualquer definição antecipada quanto ao apuramento.
Num encontro referente à segunda jornada da série — primeira para as malgaxes — a formação insular mostrou personalidade e eficácia. O único golo da partida surgiu aos 24 minutos, numa jogada iniciada pela médio Fitiavana Ramanantsoa, que desferiu um passe longo desde o meio-campo, isolando Aimée Christina Razanampiavy. A avançada afastou a oposição defensiva e a guarda-redes namibiana antes de finalizar com frieza. A própria Razanampiavy foi distinguida como melhor jogadora em campo.
A Namíbia, que havia vencido Moçambique na ronda inaugural (2-0), procurava garantir desde já o primeiro lugar do grupo, mas esbarrou numa organização defensiva consistente e num bloco compacto de Madagáscar, que soube gerir a vantagem até ao apito final.
Num grupo composto por apenas três selecções, cada equipa realiza dois jogos, o que reduz drasticamente a margem de erro. A Namíbia já concluiu a sua participação na fase regular, enquanto Madagáscar e Moçambique discutem o apuramento directo na próxima quarta-feira, às 15h00, no Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
À luz do regulamento da prova, apenas os vencedores dos grupos e o melhor segundo classificado entre as três séries avançam para as meias-finais. Assim, o embate entre Madagáscar e Moçambique assume carácter decisivo. Um empate poderá beneficiar a Namíbia, dependendo da diferença de golos, enquanto uma vitória por margem confortável poderá alterar a liderança da série. Cada golo poderá ser determinante nas contas finais.
Jornada marcada pelo equilíbrio
Nos restantes grupos, o equilíbrio também impera. No Grupo B, a campeã em título, Zâmbia, empatou a zero com o Zimbabwe, mantendo ambas as selecções no topo com quatro pontos. Botswana e Eswatini empataram 1-1 e seguem com um ponto cada. A decisão fica reservada para a última jornada, com jogos em simultâneo.
No Grupo A, a África do Sul já garantiu presença nas meias-finais ao somar seis pontos em dois jogos, depois de vencer Angola por 2-0 e beneficiar ainda do expressivo Malawi 8-1 Lesotho. Malawi e Angola, ambas com três pontos, discutem agora o segundo lugar e a eventual candidatura a melhor segunda classificada.
