South Africa . . . . . . . (2)5 Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)1
Defending champions South Africa cruised to the final of the Cosafa Women Championships set for Saturday after crushing a hapless Malawi in early a semi-final match played at Rufaro Stadium on Thursday.
Malawi ended the match with 10 players after midfielder Sangeni Msiska was given a straight red by Botswana referee Bolokonang Lekgowe for a crude tackle on Gabisile Hlumbane at the stroke of half time.
Banyana Banyana, who are hunting for their fourth title since the inception of the competition in 2002 will now meet hosts Zimbabwe who beat Tanzania 4-2 in a nerve wrenching penalty shootout at the same venue on Thursday.
Malawi were the first to open the scoring on the 17th minute, when against run of play Thabitha Chawinga scrambled home after some defensive mix-up by the usually dependable South African backline.
However, three minutes later, the scoreboard reflected the true balance of power in the game when Nothando Vilakazi equalised after beating a badly set up offside trap by the out-of-sorts Malawians.
Amanda Dlamini made it 2-1 on the 24th minute, connecting from close range after some fine work by the hard running Noku Matlou who beat her marker on the left to square the ball for her captain to just tap home.
With Malawi relying on the off sides traps, they were always bound to make mistakes.
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One such ill set offside trap resulted in a goal when Dlamini scored her second of the match on the hour mark, after she ghosted out from the crowd and beat the goalkeeper from close range.
Further goals from by Yola Jafta six minutes from time and a penalty converted by Matlou at the dearth made Banyana Banyana’s more win resounding.
South African coach Joseph Mkhonza said after the match: “We started slowly but we came back strongly after halftime. It’s not how you start which is important but how you finish. I have done my job and now I’m prepared to face any opposition in the final.”
