The Scorchers of Malawi top Group A at the 2023 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship after registering a 4-3 victory over host nation South Africa on the opening day of the tournament at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.
Temwa Chawingwa completed a hat-trick, a goal in the first half and brace in the second half with Leticia Chinyamula scoring the opener.
South Africa, who were missing several key players, scored consolation goals from the boots of Thubelihle Shamase, Khesani Nkuna and Sphumelele Shamase.
Malawi dominated the African champions from the start of the game with the Chawinga led attack a thorn for Banyana Banyana defence, who conceded all the goals from errors.
In the earlier kick off, Eswatini came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Madagascar who were making a return after a three year absence year absence. Madagascar had dominated the opening 20 minutes of the game and were rewarded two minutes before the half hour mark with a goal through Rina Rahamarimalala.
Eswatini returned from the break fired immediately, grabbing a goal though their captain Tenanile Ngamphalala and Patience Magagula scoring the winner.
Eswatini are second in the pool with three points, followed by South Africa and Madagascar.
Day two will see Group B opening matches starting with Angola and Comoros at 12h00 CAT and defending champions Zambia against Mozambique at 15h30.
Both of those games will also be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atterideville. – Cosafa.com
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