Banyana finish fourth after Zambia pip them on penalties

Another disappointing performance saw Banyana Banyana finish the Cosafa Women’s Cup in fourth place, after they were defeated 4-3 by Zambia on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in the bronze medal match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

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Banyana, who have won a record seven Cosafa Cup titles, had it tough in the 2021 edition of the competition, as they failed to register their eighth title of the tournament after being edged out 3-2 if the semifinals by Malawi.

Against Zambia on Saturday, Banyana again didn’t perform to their level best and failed to utilise their goal scoring chances, which saw them having to come back into the game after Zambia took an early lead. 

Just 17 minutes into the match, Banyana made a substitution, as Desiree Ellis took off Mamello Makhabane for Robyn Moodaly in midfield. 

Two minutes later, the Zambians opened the scoring through Ochumba Lubanji. Banyana weren’t able to make a breakthrough, finding it hard to create opportunities to level the scores. 

Zambia looked threatening every time they weren’t on attack, while the hosts kept on huffing and puffing. 

The game went into the break with Banyana still  trailing 1-0. 

Ellis made more changes in the second half, bringing on Gabriela Salgado and Melinda Kgadiete for Kgalebane Mohlakoana and Ntombifikile Ndlovu. 

With more firepower in attack, the home side started looking lively, but they still couldn’t find the back of the net. 

Nerves started creeping into the players, as the half hour mark passed without SA getting a goal. 

While Zambia looked comfortable with the lead, but they were still eager to get the second goal in order to extend the lead. 

With 15 minutes remaining to the end of the game, Sibulele Holweni found an equaliser for South Africa, getting the home side back into the game and making it 1-1. 

This was the Banyana striker’s fifth goal of the tournament.

The game went to full time with the scores level and had to be decided by penalties.  

In the end, Noxolo Cesane and Holweni missed their penalties, which meant the Zambians walked away with a 4-3 shootout victory.