Zambia and Tanzania claimed emphatic victories at the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Under-20 Championships on Sunday to seal their place in the semifinals of the inaugural competition.
The East African guest nation defeated Eswatini 8-0 to showcase their quality and highlight their potential as possible champions.
Aisha Masaka scored a hat-trick, the first of the tournament, to set Tanzania on their way, while Enekia Kasonga Lunyamila (two), Ester Gindulya, Irene Kisisa and Shamimu Salum also got their names on the scoresheet.
Zambia sealed their place in the semifinals with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Botswana, and will now face a winner-takes-all clash with Tanzania on Tuesday for top-spot in the pool.
Maylan Mulenga netted two goals to take her tally for the tournament to four and to the top of the scorers’ charts. Thandiwe Ndhlovu and Mary Mambwe netted the other goals, while Theo George was on target for Botswana.
They will now wait to see the completion of the other pool, which will take place on Monday.
Hosts South Africa face Mozambique at the Gelvandale Stadium at 10h00 (08h00 GMT), needing just a point to seal their place in the next stage.
Namibia and Zimbabwe meet in the other fixture at the Wolfson Stadium at the same time, and with both teams on three points, it is a winner-takes-all scenario.
A point will favour Zimbabwe as they are ahead on goal-difference.
Source: COSAFA