Madagascar beat Namibia

Madagascar stunned Namibia with a 1-0 victory in the second match in Group C at the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship 2025 at Seshego Stadium in Polokwane on Monday.

Nomenjanahary Edoxie set up Aimee Razanampiavy after 24 minutes for the all-important goal that lifts Madagascar to three points, level with Namibia’s Brave Gladiators, but ahead on the head-to-head rule.

Madagascar need just a point in their final pool match against Mozambique on Wednesday to advance to the semi-finals as pool winners, while Namibia will all three teams finish on three points given their better goal-difference.

Namibia coach Lesley Kavuka made two changes to the starting line-up from the opening win over Mozambique, with Nancy Lebang and Julia Rutjindo coming in for Lorraine Jossob and Mujinatjo Hanavi.

Namibia could have taken the lead early from a free kick as Zenatha Coleman delivered for Lovisa Mulunga, but Madagascar goalkeeper Veresantatra Diana was quickly off her line to make the save.

Leena Alweendo and Millicent Hikuam also went close, but both shots drifted wide. Lebang then tested Diana five minutes before the break, the Madagascar keeper again racing out to produce a superb stop.

The second half saw Namibia push harder for an equaliser and win a series of set-pieces, but they were repeatedly denied by Diana’s athleticism and awareness.

Fresh legs from the Namibian bench made little difference as they struggled to capitalise on possession and dead-ball situations. Madagascar looked for a second, and Sylvia Mamonjy was unlucky not to hit the target in the closing 10 minutes.

Groups A and B will be concluded on Tuesday when the final round of matches is played.

South Africa have already sealed top spot in Group A, but Malawi and Angola will face off at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium (15h00 CAT / 13h00 GMT) to decide who finishes second and keeps alive hopes of advancing as the best runner-up from the pool stage.

At the same time, South Africa meet Lesotho at Seshego Stadium in what is effectively a dead rubber, with Lesotho already eliminated.

Group B remains wide open, with defending champions Zambia currently ahead of Zimbabwe on goal difference only.

Zambia take on Eswatini at Seshego Stadium (12h00 CAT / 10h00 GMT), while Zimbabwe face Botswana at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium at the same time.

All four teams could still advance, though it would require victories for Eswatini and Botswana to leave the pool with four teams on four points and bring the best runner-up permutations sharply into focus.

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