February 24th Review

 

Hello and welcome to the Globall February 24th review - your daily breakdown of the biggest stories, results and standout performers from women’s international football 💪 

With the international break yet to officially begin, it was a quieter day globally — but groups A & B of the COSAFA Cup group stage reached their conclusions. (Council of Southern Africa Football Associations)

 

Group A 

GAME OF THE DAY

🇿🇦 South Africa 1-1 Lesotho 🇱🇸

With South Africa already qualified and Lesotho already eliminated, the second lowest ranked national team in the tournament had the opportunity to make a statement against their geographical rivals, especially with South Africa rotating almost their entire squad. 30 minutes in a ball was passed through to 22-year-old Moalosi Makhotso of the LDF Ladies in the Lesothan league, who beat two South African defenders before unleashing a beautiful strike into the top corner of the net, 1-0 Lesotho. The story writers hadn't finished yet however, as seven minutes later 2009-born, 16-year-old Thorisho Mphelo of JVW in South Africa scored to make the game level, which is how it stayed until the full-time whistle. Story lines galore in this game, the third youngest player in the tournament scoring the equalising goal. Lesotho getting their first ever point & scoring their first ever goal against South Africa.

🇦🇴 Angola 0-1 Malawi 🇲🇼

All games in group A were irrelevant after Zimbabwe secured the only second place qualification earlier in the day, however Malawi were able to leave the tournament with heads held high after a fourth tournament goal for 22-year-old Ireen Khumalo of the Malawi league's Silver Strikers Ladies meant they exited the tournament with 6 points from three games, as well as the tournaments top scorer - an exciting prospect, being only 22.

Group B 

🇿🇲 Zambia 2-1 Eswatini 🇸🇿

Whoever won this game would have progressed, the holders proved their quality, securing their place in the semi-finals. A first Zambia goal for Agnes Musase, centre-back who has played for Zambia since 2018, part of their 2023 World Cup squad - playing currently for Green Buffalos in the Zambian league. Their second goal for midfielder Avell Chitundu of the ZESCO Ndola Girls, also in the Zambian league. Eswatini's goal came from 22-year-old striker Nonjabuliso Mokgale of the Young Buffaloes in the Swazi league - a second goal in the tournament for her.

🇿🇼 Zimbabwe 1-0 Botswana 🇧🇼

Same story for the other game in group B - winner goes through, with the favourite winning. Zimbabwe qualifying for the semis after missing out in the 2024 edition of the tournament. The only goal in the game from Rutendo Makore, a second goal of the tournament for the 33 year old striker with the Black Rhinos Queens in the Zimbabwean league

 

The first semi-final is now confirmed, with South Africa set to play Zimbabwe. The final game of the group stage is tomorrow, with Mozambique taking on Madagascar - if Mozambique win, they will play Zambia - otherwise Madagascar will go through.

See you tomorrow when we'll know the semi-finals, and can start predicting who will win the trophy!