Zimbabwe 1-1 Botswana
PRETORIA — Zimbabwe advanced to the last four of the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship after holding Botswana to a 1-1 draw in their final Group C match on Wednesday.
The Mighty Warriors, who returned to international action for the first time since FIFA lifted their suspension, topped the group with seven points and conceded only one goal in three games.
They will face Zambia, who finished second in Group B, in a mouth-watering semi-final clash on Friday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
The match will also feature the debut of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at a COSAFA tournament.
Malawi, who won Group A with a perfect record, will take on Mozambique, who came second in Group B, in the other semifinal.
Zimbabwe got off to a flying start against Botswana as Ennety Chemhere headed in a corner-kick from Priviledge Mupeti in the fifth minute.
Botswana captain Kesegofetse Mochawe tried to inspire her team with some dangerous set-pieces, but Zimbabwe goalkeeper Cynthia Shonga was alert to keep them out.
Chemhere almost doubled Zimbabwe’s lead in the 33rd minute when she unleashed a long-range shot that rattled the crossbar.
Botswana came back stronger in the second half and created some chances through Balothanyi Johannes and Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse, but they failed to find the target.
Mupeti also hit the woodwork for Zimbabwe from a free-kick in the 62nd minute as both teams searched for a decisive goal.
Botswana finally got their reward in the 85th minute when Johannes scored her second goal of the tournament with a neat finish.
The draw was enough for Zimbabwe to secure their place in the semifinals, while Botswana bowed out as runners-up with five points.
Namibia finished third in the group with four points after beating Lesotho 2-0 in the other match played at the University of Johannesburg Soweto campus. – Kukurigo
