KEY POINTS
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Zimbabwe sealed qualification with a 12-2 win in the COSAFA U-17 tournament.
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Lesotho struggled as Zimbabwe dominated every aspect of the match.
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Errors by Lesotho boosted Zimbabwe’s chances in the COSAFA U-17 semi-final.
Zimbabwe defeated Lesotho 12–2 on Wednesday to go to the COSAFA Girls’ Under-17 Championship semi-finals.
Zimbabwe secured the top spot in Group C at the lopsided match, which was played at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.
Zimbabwe storms into COSAFA U-17 semi-final with 12-goal thriller
With their triumph, the roster for the next round of the regional youth football championship was complete and the final semi-final spot was filled.
Excellent finishing, cooperation, and unrelenting attacking play characterized Zimbabwe’s performance, which dominated Lesotho from the first few minutes of play.
The victory sets up a highly anticipated match between Zimbabwe and longtime rivals Zambia, which is scheduled for Friday at noon in Windhoek.
Zambia, who had previously won Group B, will now take on a Zimbabwean team that is more confident following their decisive goal-scoring performance on Wednesday.
Malawi, the victors of Group A, will play Mozambique, the top-ranked second-place team in all three tournament groups, in Friday’s second semi-final.
The match between Malawi and Mozambique will begin at the capital’s Hage Geingob Stadium at 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT).
According to Bulawayo24, Lesotho scored twice as a result of a strong second-half effort, with goals from Molise and Leholi in the 52nd and 55th minutes.
But by that point, Zimbabwe had established a strong lead, making it difficult for Lesotho to make a significant comeback in the competition.
Munyanduki scores four as COSAFA U-17 semi-final clash nears
To set the tone early, Ruvimbo Munyanduki scored four goals to lead Zimbabwe’s attack in the third, twenty-first, forty-six, and sixty-seventh minutes.
As Zimbabwe tightened their hold on the game, her teammate Tadiwa Mapuwa added a hat-trick by scoring in the 23rd, 32nd, and 36th minutes.
A thorough attacking display was completed by additional goals from Lorraine Chinyoka (75′, 85′), Rutendo Chisuro (87′), and Chiedza Khumalo (42′).
The decisive outcome demonstrates Zimbabwe’s increasing dominance in the event as they try to qualify for Sunday’s tournament final.
Zimbabwe, who are obviously ahead, will try to continue their scoring streak and win the regional title for the first time.
