By Jafferson Ndhlovu,

South African Women’s National Team were crowned champions of the 2017 Women’s Cosafa Championships after beating host nation Zimbabwe 2-1 at Barbourfield Stadium in Bulawayo City.

The match started on a very promising pace but clearly Banyana Banyana was the better side by the 10th minute. Though the hosts the Mighty Warriors were almost equal to the attacks at the flury of inroads by South Africa.

On the 36th minute South Africa beat a faulty offside trap and Kgathlana was set through with an amazing chance, face to face with Migthy Warriors goalie Dzingirai who responded with aplomb by the stopping the onslaught.

In the last few minutes of first half, Kgathlana was a real workload for the Zimbabwean defence with her relentless myriad of piercing attacks.

And it paid off just on the 45th minute mark to break the deadlock. 1nil going into break in favour of Banyana Banyana.

Mighty Warriors might have an inspiring halftime pep talk as they came into the second half a lot more purposed. They piled pressure on the leading South Africa. Who had seemed to have taken some steam off themselves. Possibly hoping to suck in the Zimbabwean resurgence.

Makore headed home the equaliser in the 73rd minute. And from then on it was a tide of influence for the Warriors equaliser as she searched in the pockets of Banyana Banyana defence. But they too stayed on task. Keeping their eyes on the prize.

Makore was to get into referees book for aggressiveness in the 86th minute.

The match looked like it was headed for dreaded lottery of penalties. But a cross slotted found South Africa’s Smeda lurking in the dangerzone on the 90th mark. To send her team mates into a frenzy of celebrations and two minutes of added time could not help the cause on the host nation. As they had to settle for the Silver medal.

South Africa are the champions.