• Football

Zambia wins Cosafa under-17 Cup

• 3 Days Ago 19 May 2025

Zambia on Saturday claimed a consecutive Cosafa under-17 girls’ football title after their dominant display to beat Malawi 3-0 in the final at the Hage Geingob Stadium.

The tournament in Windhoek produced compelling action, coupled with some high-scoring results.

It was Zambia's third regional crown at the under-17 girls level, proving their dominance of women’s football.

Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa are the only other countries to have won the competition since its inception in 2019.

The goals came from Ruth Mukoma, Natasha Kasema and Gift Marimba in a first half that was dominated by the defending champions.

Zambia’s coach Carol Kanyemba said she was proud of the team and they hope to build further in preparation for the under-17 girls’ World Cup.

“I am proud of the girls. Even though today was not our best game, we managed to get the job done.

“The focus now is on the World Cup, because we want to go beyond the group stages and this team can build on this victory to have a good World Cup,” she said.

Malawi silver-medal finish is their best-ever run in the competition.

The last time they were close to the final was in 2002 on home soil when they managed a third-place finish.

Malawi coach Chisomo Nkoma expressed gratitude towards the players following a brave display throughout the competition.

“Yes, we would have hoped to win the tournament, but that was not the case as Zambia proved stronger today.

“I am however proud of the girls due to the fact that they really did well to reach the final without conceding a goal,” she said.



Bronze final

The third-place playoff was won by Mozambique who narrowly beat Zimbabwe 3-2 on Saturday.

Mozambique’s opening goal was scored by Thandy Nassone before Shantell Mugute pulled one back for the Zimbabweans.

Zimbabwe then conceded an own goal by goalkeeper Tanyaradzwa Nyamucherera, but kept on pushing for an equalizer which they eventually got through Dee Mapuwa, before Jessica Andicene scored the winner for Mozambique with seven minutes to go.



Individual honours

Ruth Mukoma of Zambia was voted Player of the Tournament, while Namibia’s Nancy Lebang grabbed the Golden Boot award with seven goals, all scored in the 10-0 group match win against Comoros.

The goalkeeper of the tournament came from the champions as Butata Kakumbi won the Golden Glove. Her team conceded only a single goal in their four games, which was against Zimbabwe in the semi-final.



Tournament figures

Matches played: 13 // Goals scored: 76.

Biggest victory: Mozambique 11 Mauritius 0 (Group B, May 12).

Most goals in a match: 14 – Lesotho 2 Zimbabwe 12 (Group C, May 14).



Leading goalscorers

7 goals – Nancy Lebang (Namibia).

6 – Dee Mapuwa (Zimbabwe).

4 – Jessica Andicene (Mozambique), Hellen Banda (Zambia), Mya Munyanduki (Zimbabwe), Faluna Umali (Malawi).

3 – Natasha Kasema (Zambia), Ruth Mukoma (Zambia), Precious Mwape (Zambia).