Africa-Press – Namibia. Namibia completed the semi-final line-up at the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship 2025 thanks to Mozambique’s 2-0 win over Madagascar in the final Group C match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Namibia will face defending champions Zambia in the first semi-final at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday (12h00 CAT / 10h00 GMT), before hosts South Africa clash with Zimbabwe at the same venue (15h00 CAT / 13h00 GMT).
Madagascar came into Wednesday’s encounter needing a draw to progress from the group as leaders, but were well beaten.
Mozambique’s victory left all three sides in the pool on three points after two matches, which helped Namibia (+1) advance via a superior goal difference compared to Mozambique (+0) and Madagascar (-1).
Madagascar could have taken the lead inside the opening 15 minutes, but Hanitriniana Nivo hit the woodwork.
Mozambique won a penalty just after the 30-minute mark after Cina Manuel was brought down in the box by Nomenjanahary Edoxie.
Amelia Banze converted from the spot to give her side the lead, and they grew in confidence as they pushed for more goals, with a second strike later ruled out for offside.
Verasantatra Diana was then called into action to make back-to-back superb saves after Ilodia Mantsinhe combined with Banze, with the goalkeeper using her feet to deny Banze in a one-on-one situation.
She soon denied Manuel as well after the forward received a cross from Isaura Chidembo.
Madagascar could have equalised in the early stages of the second half through Mamonjy Mampionona, but she hit the side-netting. Mampionona was again guilty of missing the target from inside the box a minute later.
Mozambique could have doubled their lead after the Madagascar defence was left in sixes and sevens, but Edoxie cleared the ball off the line.
Manuel finally made it 2-0 late in the game, capitalising on a poor clearance by the Malagasy defence, but Mozambique could not find the third goal they needed to advance.
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