Africa-Press – Tanzania. TWIGA Stars sailed to the COSAFA Women’s Championship final after seeing off Zambia by 3-2 on penalty kicks in the tense semifinal match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in South Africa yesterday.
Amina Bilali was named player of the match after the Tanzanian women’s impressive performance due to her exceptional display. Besides Bilali’s performance, Zubeda Mgunda also displayed a remarkable form in her appearance after saving three of the five penalties that ensured Twiga Stars a 3-2 victory.
The two sides failed to secure a win after ending with a 1-1 draw in the normal 90 minutes. In a tight encounter, Tanzania picked their opening goal at the 15th minute following a deflection from Lushomo Mweemba, who attempted to block Mwanahamis Omary set through to her fellow teammate.
It was an unfortunate event for the Copper Queens, where their solid defence gave Twiga a lead in the first 45 minutes. It was not an easy game for both sides, as each side was better.
However, Zambia came back strong in the second half and got an equaliser in the 69th minute through Grace Chande. The 90 minutes were not enough to decide who would pick a ticket to the final, and thus it had to be resolved through penalty shots.
Lucky was on the Tanzanian side, where their goalkeeper Zubeda Mgunda was able to save three saves of the five spot-kicks while the Tanzanian ladies proudly scored three of the four shots.
Twiga Stars penalties were converted by Enekia Kasonga, Fatuma Suleiman and Opa Clement while Amina Bilali missed hers.
Zambia netted two penalties from Elizabeth Mupeso and Agness Musase while missing three from Margaret Belemu, Lushomo Mweemba and Ochumba Lubanji.
The Tanzania squad had Janeth Simba, Julitha Singano, Anastazia Katunzi, Clara Luvanga, Fatuma Suleiman, Enekia Kasonga, Happynes Mwaipaya, Stumai Athuman, Amina Bilali, Opa Clement and Mwanahamisi Omary.
The Zambia squad had Ng’ambo Ng’ambo Musole, Lushomo Mweemba, Elizabeth Mupeso, Ochumba Lubanji, Margaret Belemu, Grace Chanda, Penelope Mulubwa, Avell Chitundu, Agness Musase, Mary Wilombe, and Vast Phiri.
Twiga Stars have progressed into the final stage of the competition on October 9, waiting for the winner of the encounter between the hosts South Africa and Malawi. During the group stage, Twiga Stars produced a 3-0 triumph over Zimbabwe before beating Botswana 2-0, while their last group stage encounter was another thrilling 3-0 victory against South Sudan hence netting eight goals without conceding.
However, before facing Tanzania, Botswana hammered South Sudan 7-0 at the same venue but could not manage to break the concrete Twiga Stars defensive line when they met as they surrendered easily.
The country’s envoys are competing as a guest team.
They are also using the competition as part and parcel of their preparations for the upcoming 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Tanzania will face Namibia in a two-legged match of the AFCON qualifiers with the first leg slated on October 20 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The return match is pegged for October 23
