The semifinal line-up is set at the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers 2023 after the final round of pool matches were played in Durban on Monday, with both former champions making the Last 4.
Group A winners Double Action Ladies of Botswana will face Costa do Sol of Mozambique in the first semifinal on Wednesday (kick-off 12h00 CAT), while Mamelodi Sundowns take on Green Buffaloes in the second game at 15h30 CAT.
That match-up is a repeat of the 2022 final that was edged by the Zambians. Sundowns were the inaugural winners of the competition in 2021.
Green Buffaloes remained on course to defend their title with a 2-1 win with Lesotho Defence Force in their last Group A match.
They came into the match needing a point to make the knockout phase, while the Defence Force needed a convincing victory to stand a chance.
Carol Kanyemba’s charges were the dominant of the two in the decider and were rewarded early in the first half when Comfort Selemani’s attempt was deflected by Ntsatsi Khakanyo, who scored an own goal, the first of this year’s competition.
Khakanyo redeemed herself later in the half as her set-piece was instrumental in the Defence Force equaliser also through a deflected own goal by Memory Nthala. With the Lesotho champions looking like they may get away with a point Esther Banda stole the headlines in the last 10 minutes of the match with the winner for the Buffaloes.
Double Action Ladies from Botswana made sure of their qualification and top place in the group with a 4-0 victory over Malawian debutants Ntopwa FC.
Lesego Radiakanyo took her goals tally in the competition to three with a brace, while Oteng Bonang and Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse were also on target for Double Action.
The results mean Buffaloes finished second in the group, equal on seven points with Double Action but behind on goal-difference.
Zanele Nhlapo converted a first half penalty while Miche Minnies also netted and Andisiwe Mgcoyi got a brace as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Costa Do Sol 4-0 to finish top of Group B with a full haul of nine points.
The pair came into the match already qualified for the semifinals having bagged maximum points from their first two group matches, with just top spot to be decided.
In the other match in the pool, Young Buffaloes and Olympic de Moroni played to a 3-3 draw in an entertaining dead rubber that saw both go home with a point.
Entrance for fans to all matches will be FREE of charge, with tickets available at the stadium on match day. They are limited to four per person. You can view all of the fixtures here.
If you cannot get to the stadium, you can watch all matches streamed LIVE on FIFA+. Games will also be carried on SuperSport.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
Group A
Green Buffaloes 2 (Khakanyo 8’og, E. Banda 81′) Lesotho Defence Force 1 (Nthala 42’og)
Ntopwa FC 0 Double Action Ladies 4 (Radiakanyo 7′, 84′, Bonang 38′, Ontlametse 49′)
Group B
Mamelodi Sundowns 4 (Nhlapho 16’pen, Minnies 61’, Mgcoyi 72’, 77’) Costa do Sol 0
Young Buffaloes 3 (Nothando Dlamini 11’, Ngcamphalala 60′, Dube 88) Olympic de Moroni 3 (Rima 13’, Rasoanandrasana 54′, Razanampiavy 83′)
WEDNESDAY’S FIXTURES
Semifinals – Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
Double Action Ladies vs Costa do Sol (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Green Buffaloes (KO 15h30; 13h30 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Double Action (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Green Buffaloes (Q) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Lesotho Defence Force | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
| Ntopwa FC | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Mamelodi Sundowns (Q) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 9 |
| Costa do Sol (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 6 |
| Young Buffaloes | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 1 |
| Olympic de Moroni | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 13 | -9 | 1 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 12
Goals scored: 41
Biggest victory: Mamelodi Sundowns 8 Olympic de Moroni 0 (Group B, August 31)
Most goals in a game: 8 – Mamelodi Sundowns 8 Olympic de Moroni 0 (Group B, August 31)
GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Lelona Daweti (Mamelodi Sundowns), Andisiwe Mgcoyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lesego Radiakanyo (Double Action)
2 – Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Miche Minnies (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tenanile Ngcamphalala (Young Buffaloes), Albertina Pondja (Costa do Sol), Joeline Rima (Olympic de Moroni)
1 – Esther Banda (Green Buffaloes), Oteng Bonang (Double Action), Vanessa Chikupila (Ntopwa FC), Maweta Chilenga (Green Buffaloes), Nothando Dlamini (Young Buffaloes), Mazwi Dube (Young Buffaloes), Marlene Janeiro (Costa do Sol), Gabonnelwe Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Naide Maconho (Costa do Sol), Siomala Mapepa (Green Buffaloes), Maseriti Mohlolo (Lesotho Defence Force), Chuene Morifi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Amanda Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Zanele Nhlapho (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (Double Action), Boitumelo Rabale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Marie Rasoanandrasana (Olympic de Moroni), Aimee Razanampiavy (Olympic de Moroni), Leungo Senwelo (Double Action), Refilwe Tholakele (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Own goals – Ntsatsi Khakanyo (Lesotho Defence Force), Memory Nthala (Green Buffaloes)
Les demi-finalistes connues
On connait désormais les demi-finalistes de l’édition 2023 de la CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers. Le premier match de ce carré d’AS opposera Double Action Ladies à Costa Do Sol. Les Mamelodi Sundowns joueront ensuite face aux Green Buffaloes.
Double Action Ladies a terminé en tête du groupe A après son carton face aux Ntopwa Super Queens lundi dans le dernier match de groupe. Elles se sont imposées 4-0 pour finir en tête de cette poule. Dans ce match à sens unique, c’est Radiakanyo qui a été l’une des grandes artisanes de ce succès. Elle a inscrit un doublé au cours de cet échange. Elle a ouvert le score à la 4e minute avant de clore la joute en trouvant la faille à la 84e minute. Bonang, avant la pause et Ontlametse juste au retour des vestiaires, ont également contribué à ce large succès. Les Double Action Ladies achèvent ce premier tour avec sept unités au compteur.
Dans le deuxième match du groupe A, les Green Buffaloes ont fait respecter leur rang. Elles ont réalisé l’essentiel contre Lesotho Defence Force en s’imposant 2-1. Et cette rencontre a été un peu une histoire de buts contre son camp. Il y en a eu deux. Khakanyo a d’abord marqué un auto-but, plaçant les représentantes du Lesotho devant dès la 10e minute. Mais ensuite, ce fut au tour de Nthala d’inscrire un but contre son camp rétablissant malgré elle, la parité. En fin de match, Banda offrira les trois points de la victoire aux Zambiennes.
Les Mamelodi Sundowns n’ont pas tremblé de leur côté non plus. Elles ont aisément pris les trois points de la victoire contre Costa Do Sol. Dans une rencontre maitrisée du début jusqu’à la fin, elle ont achevé le score à 4-0. Nhlapho à la 18e minute, Minnies à l’heure de jeu et un doublé de Mgcoyi ont été suffisant pour assurer la première place du groupe. Il y avait peu de pression dans ce match puisque les deux formations étaient déjà qualifiées pour le dernier carré.
Dans l’autre rencontre du groupe B, les Young Buffaloes et l’Olympic de Moroni se sont rendus coup pour coup. Et les deux formations n’ont pas déçus avec une avalanche de buts et des duels de haut niveau. Elles se sont quittés sur un score de parité (3-3) et ont décroché leur premier point dans le tournoi. Dlamini a ouvert le score à la 11e minute avant que Rima n’égalise dans la foulée. Les Comoriennes prendront même les devants grâce à Rasoanandrasana (54e). Mais Ngcamphalala à l’heure de jeu et Dube 88 remettront les Young Buffaloes sur de bons rails. Toutefois, presque sur le gong, Razanampiavy offrira un nul inespéré à l’Olympic de Moroni.
Double Action Ladies e Green Buffaloes estão nas “meias”!
A campeã em título, Green Buffaloes (Zâmbia) e Double Action Ladies (Botswana), confirmaram, hoje, a sua presença nas meias-finais da terceira edição das eliminatórias regionais da Liga dos Campeões Feminina da CAF (COSAFA), após vencerem, Lesotho Defence Force (Lesotho) e Ntopwa FC (Malawi), respectivamente, por 2-1 e 0-4, em jogo a contar para a terceira e última jornada do Grupo A.
Do lado das zambianas, os golos foram apontados por Ntsatsi Khakanyo (7´), jogadora da equipa adversária, que fez um autogolo, enquanto que o segundo é a da autoria de Esther Banda (81´).
Por conseguinte, a formação do Double Action Ladies entrou com o pé no acelerador marcando aos sete minutos por intermédio da avançada Lesego Radiakanyo (autora do quarto golo aos 84´), sendo que os restantes foram marcados por Oteng Bonang (38´) e Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (49´).
Com este desfecho, as representantes do Botswana terminaram a fase de grupos com sete pontos no topo da tabela classificativa, os mesmos que Green Buffaloes, na segunda posição.
Entretanto, depois de terem entrado para esta fase com o apuramento garantido, as “canarinhas” do Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (África do Sul) venceram, hoje, as suas “homónimas” de Moçambique (Costa do Sol), por 4-0, terminando a fase regular com pleno (9 pontos) e um recorde de 16 golos marcados sem sofrer nenhum.
Com efeito, Double Action Ladies medirá forças com o emblema moçambicano, Costa do Sol, nas meias-finais agendadas para esta quarta-feira, enquanto que as anfitriãs, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (África do Sul) terão pela frente Green Buffaloes, adversárias com quem perderam na final disputada no ano passado. Será sem dúvida, uma ocasião oportuna para o acerto de contas entre os dois emblemas.
Anotar que esta competição vem sendo disputada desde o passado dia 30 de Agosto, na cidade sul-africana de Durban, devendo terminar esta sexta-feira, ou seja, no dia 8 de Setembro do ano corrente.
Referir que o vencedor e o finalista vencido desta prova serão os representante da região da África Austral (COSAFA), na terceira edição desta liga, cuja fase final terá lugar em país ainda por indicar antes do final do ano. se realizará de 5 a 19 de Novembro, na Costa do Marfim.
Basta lembrar que a formação do Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (África do Sul) conquistou a primeira edição, ao vencer na final, disputada em 2021, no Cairo, o Hasaacas Ladies FC (Gana), por 2-0, sendo que Green Buffaloes é o actual detentor do título, como já foi referenciado no introito.
