EN, FR, PR: Young Buffaloes on the charge, Costa do Sol and Olympic de Moroni draw
Young Buffaloes completed a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Kick4Life Women in their CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers Group B clash at the AW Muller Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday, while Costa do Sol and Olympic de Moroni could not be separated in Group C.
It means there is still all to play for in both pools going into the final round of games on Wednesday, with no semifinalist yet confirmed. The top team in each group advances to the last four, along with the best runner-up across the three pools, as clubs vie for the single COSAFA place at the continental finals later this year.
Kick4Life made a dream start on debut, taking the lead in the 10th minute when Nteboheleng Mohoshela was played through on goal and beat the Young Buffaloes goalkeeper in a one-on-one. But the Eswatini side equalised seven minutes before halftime as Nonjabuliso Mokgale also broke clear and finished from the edge of the box.
It was evenly poised at the break, but Young Buffaloes took control in the second half. They went ahead in fortunate fashion when Celiwe Nkambule sent in a cross that deflected into the net off Kick4Life’s Matseliso Mosala. Nomvuyo Dvuba added a third 15 minutes from time with a superb 20-yard strike.
Gaborone United Ladies FC of Botswana need just a point against Kick4Life on Wednesday to advance as pool winners, while Young Buffaloes must hope the debutants win and the group is decided on goal difference.
In Group C, Olympic de Moroni of Comoros took the lead on 12 minutes through an own goal by Costa do Sol defender Marlene Janeiro, who under pressure from Suraya Ali could only bundle the ball into her own net. Minutes later it was 2-0 after a costly error by goalkeeper Neima Nhamire, who misjudged a bouncing ball and allowed Anllaouia Ali to score into an empty net.
Costa do Sol hit back just past the half-hour mark when Joana Mussuie forced the ball over the line under pressure, and they equalised through Lucia Moçambique’s long-range free-kick, her second goal of the tournament. The 2-2 draw leaves Costa do Sol top of Group C with four points, though they have completed their fixtures. Olympic de Moroni have one point and face Herentals Queens of Zimbabwe in their final game on Wednesday. Herentals cannot finish top but could yet claim the best runner-up spot with a big victory.
Group A will also be decided on Tuesday. Two-time winners Mamelodi Sundowns have lived up to their billing as favourites, winning both matches to top the group without conceding. Another victory over Beauties FC (kick-off 15h00 CAT; 13h00 GMT) would confirm a perfect group-stage campaign for the South Africans, who have been efficient in both attack and defence.
Beauties still have everything to play for. Level on points with Zesco Ndola Girls, the Namibians can qualify if they take something from the game, though it is a daunting task against the champions. Their even goal difference suggests they are competitive, but they must find a way past Sundowns’ watertight defence to keep hopes alive.
Zesco Ndola Girls face Ntopwa FC (kick-off 12h00 CAT; 10h00 GMT) knowing victory could be enough for a semifinal spot. The Zambians are second in the group with three points from two matches, having won once and lost once. They have looked solid at the back, conceding just once, but must take their chances more decisively.
For Ntopwa, this is a last opportunity to restore pride after two defeats without scoring. Having conceded six goals, the Malawians will need a major improvement to avoid finishing bottom.
In calculating the best runner-up, results against the team finishing bottom of each pool are discarded, ensuring fairness between the four-team Group A and the three-team Groups B and C.
Entrance for fans to all matches will be FREE of charge. If you cannot get to the stadium, you can watch all matches streamed LIVE on FIFA+.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
Group A
Young Buffaloes 3 (Mokgale 38’, Mosala 66’og, Dvuba 75’) Kick4Life 1 (Mohoshela 10’)
Costa Do Sol 2 (Mussuie 31’, Moçambique 79’) Olympic De Moroni 2 (Janeiro 12’og, A. Ali 17’)
TUESDAY’S FIXTURES
Group A
Zesco Ndola Girls vs Ntopwa FC (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Beauties FC (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| Zesco Ndola Girls (Zambia) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Beauties FC (Namibia) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Ntopwa FC (Malawi) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Gaborone United (Botswana) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3* |
| Young Buffaloes (Eswatini) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3* |
| Kick4Life (Lesotho) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
* Gaborone United lead the pool on head-to-head
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Costa do Sol (Mozambique) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Olympic de Moroni (Comoros) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Herentals Queens (Zimbabwe) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 8
Goals scored: 21
Biggest victory: Beauties FC 0 Zesco Ndola Girls 3 (Group A, August 22); Mamelodi Sundowns 3 Ntopwa FC 0 (Group A, August 22); Ntopwa FC 0 Beauties FC 3 (Group A, August 24)
Most goals in a game: 4 – Young Buffaloes 3 Kick4Life 1 (Group B, August 25)
GOALSCORERS
2 goals – Millicent Hikuam (Beauties FC), Lucia Moçambique (Costa do Sol), Refilwe Tholakele (Mamelodi Sundowns)
1 – Anllaouia Ali (Olympic de Moroni), Twelikondjele Amukoto (Beauties FC), Avell Chitundu (Zambia), Keitumetse Dithebe (Gaborone United), Nomvuyo Dvuba (Young Buffaloes), Eunencia Machava (Mozambique), Nteboheleng Mohoshela (Kick4Life), Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns), Joana Mussuie (Costa do Sol), Nonjabuliso Mokgale (Young Buffaloes), Penelope Mulubwa (Zambia), Eneless Phiri (Zambia), Boitumelo Rabale (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Own goals – Marlene Janeiro (Costa do Sol), Matseliso Mosala (Kick4Life)
Young Buffaloes se relance, Costa do Sol se fait peur
La phase qualificative COSAFA pour la CAF Women’s Champions League se poursuit au Zimbabwe avec des matchs âpres et un classement déjà bien animé. Lundi, Young Buffaloes a pris le dessus sur Kick4Life Women (3-1) au terme d’une rencontre à rebondissements. Mokgale a ouvert le score à la 38e minute, puis Kick4Life a relancé la partie par Mohoshela. En seconde période, un but contre son camp de Mosala (67e) et une réalisation de Dvuba (76e) ont scellé la victoire des représentantes de l’Eswatini, qui engrangent trois points précieux et se positionnent favorablement dans le groupe B.
Dans le groupe C, Costa do Sol et Olympic de Moroni se sont quittés dos à dos sur le score de 2-2. Les Comoriens ont frappé tôt par S. Ali (12e) puis A. Ali (18e) pour mener rapidement 2-0 et mettre la pression sur leurs adversaires. Costa do Sol a réduit l’écart par Mossueie (32e) avant d’égaliser en fin de rencontre grâce à Mocambique (79e). Ce match nul offre un premier point à Olympic de Moroni tandis que Costa do Sol consolide sa première place avec quatre unités.
Mardi, l’attention se portera sur l’AJ AW Muller Stadium où deux affiches du groupe A sont au programme. À 15h, Zesco Ndola Girls FC défiera Ntopwa Super Queens dans un duel opposant l’espoir zambien à une formation yet to score. Zesco Ndola, déjà lancée avec trois points et une différence positive, cherchera à confirmer contre Ntopwa, qui reste en quête de son premier but et de points après deux revers. La deuxième rencontre, également à 15h, opposera Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies à Beauties FC. Les Sundowns, leaders incontestés du groupe A avec six points et une défense imperméable (zéro but encaissé), auront la faveur des pronostics face à Beauties FC, qui totalise trois points mais a montré des signes de fragilité défensive.
Au classement, le groupe A voit Mamelodi Sundowns dominer suivi de Zesco et Beauties, tandis que Ntopwa peine. Le groupe B reste serré : Gaborone United, Young Buffaloes et Kick4Life se tiennent en embuscade avec des marges réduites. Le groupe C est emmené par Costa do Sol, Olympic de Moroni et Herentals Queens, dans une lutte encore ouverte.
Les rencontres de mardi seront déterminantes pour la physionomie des poules : Zesco et les Sundowns visent la confirmation, Ntopwa et Beauties cherchent à se relancer. L’intensité des duels et la gestion des temps faibles feront la différence pour décrocher une place dans la phase suivante.
Costa do Sol empata mantém viva a esperança!
A segunda jornada das Eliminatórias Regionais da COSAFA para a Liga dos Campeões Feminina da CAF trouxe emoção e definiu cenários decisivos nos Grupos B e C. Em Joanesburgo, o Young Buffaloes confirmou favoritismo ao vencer o Kick4Life Women FC por 3–1, enquanto o Costa do Sol arrancou um empate precioso diante do estreante Olympic de Moroni (2–2), mantendo acesa a esperança de apuramento.
No Grupo B, as estreantes do Lesoto surpreenderam ao inaugurar o marcador aos 10 minutos por Mohoshela, mas o domínio acabou por ser das campeãs do Eswatini. Mokgale restabeleceu a igualdade aos 38 minutos, antes de um autogolo infeliz de Mosala, aos 66’, virar o resultado. Dvuba selou a vitória aos 75’, garantindo ao Young Buffaloes três pontos e liderança isolada. Destaque para Simile Marks, eleita melhor em campo, pela intensidade no meio-campo e na construção ofensiva. Com este triunfo, as eswatinianas ficam a uma vitória do apuramento, enquanto o Kick4Life, em estreia dura, terá de reagir na próxima jornada para manter-se na corrida.
No Grupo C, viveu-se um duelo de grande emoção. O Olympic de Moroni, nas suas primeiras pegadas na competição, surpreendeu ao construir vantagem de 2–0 ainda na primeira parte, com golos de Suraya Ali aos 12’ e Anllaouia Hadhirami aos 18’. Mas o Costa do Sol recusou-se a desistir: Joana reduziu aos 32’ e, já na reta final, Lúcia Moçambique assinou o empate de cabeça, aos 79’, colocando os moçambicanos em posição promissora na luta pelo apuramento. Eunencia Machava voltou a brilhar e arrecadou o troféu de melhor jogadora, pelo segundo jogo consecutivo. Com dois pontos em dois jogos, o Costa do Sol depende do desfecho entre Herentals Queens e Olympic de Moroni para confirmar se avança às meias-finais como líder ou melhor segundo classificado.
Com apenas os líderes de cada grupo e o melhor segundo a seguirem para as meias-finais, agendadas para 29 de Agosto, cada jogo assume contornos decisivos. Amanhã, o Gaborone United Ladies estreia-se frente ao Kick4Life, num confronto que pode redefinir o Grupo B, enquanto no Grupo C as Herentals Queens medem forças com o Olympic de Moroni, num duelo que pode deixar o Costa do Sol a celebrar a qualificação ou a fazer contas até ao último minuto.
A final da fase regional está marcada para 31 de Agosto, num torneio que reafirma a crescente competitividade do futebol feminino na África Austral. Com entrada gratuita no AW Muller Stadium e transmissão em direto no FIFA+ e no canal oficial da COSAFA no YouTube, a festa do futebol feminino continua a ganhar palco e emoção em Joanesburgo.
