Africa-Press – Tanzania. TWIGA Stars are ready to diffuse Zambia as they meet in the semifinals of the 2021 COSAFA Women’s Championship at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in South Africa today.
The winner will progress into the final stage of the competition on October 9th as such, in case today’s game elapse in a draw, there will be extra time and penalty shoot-out where necessary in order to produce a winner to move further in the contest.
Another last-four package will attract hosts South Africa against Malawi to be played at the same venue with each determined to cross the desert into the Promised Land.
Speaking yesterday, Twiga Stars Head Coach Bakari Shime said he is aware that the game will be difficult basing on the status of their opponents whom he said are tough.
“As you know, Zambia and Tanzania are the only teams which completed their group stage matches without losing hence; the two best teams are meeting in the semis where one side should move forward. “In football, whenever you play against a strong opponent, you need to showcase your ability as well. You cannot be considered good if you fail to beat best teams,” he said.
He added that it could have been better for both teams to meet in the finals to make it colourful but he insisted that they are physically and mentally prepared to face Zambia even though they competed at the Olympics.
Like Tanzania, Zambia ended their group stage campaign without conceding thereby collecting 9 points and scoring 9 goals in the process.
In their group C, they defeated Eswatini 5-0, overclassed Namibia 3-0 before recording a slim 1-0 victory over resilient side Uganda. In their first game, 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, prior to 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 and 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 20th at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the return match is pegged on October 23.
