Namibia opened their Group C campaign at the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship 2025 with a 2-0 victory over Mozambique at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, the victory secured thanks to goals from Leena Alweendo and Millicent Hikuam.
The Brave Gladiators signalled their intent from the opening whistle and were good value for the win as they dominated most aspects of the game, with eight shots on target and not even one for Mozambique. The total shot count was 20-2 in favour of the Namibians.
Alweendo first missed the target but made amends almost immediately as she broke the deadlock inside the opening two minutes, the fastest goal of the tournament so far.
Namibia continued to press and could have doubled their lead earlier, but Hikuam was unable to hit the target.
Experienced attacker Zenatha Coleman was a constant threat to the Mozambique defence, helping her side win several set-pieces and driving them forward in possession, though Namibia were unable to fully capitalise in the first half.
Coleman herself came close after a fine solo run in which she beat defenders, but she dragged her effort over the bar just after the half-hour mark.
Mozambique returned after the break with more purpose and enjoyed improved attacking moments.
Angula Mutula managed to get into the Namibian box, but her effort did not trouble the goalkeeper.
Namibia still looked dangerous on the counter, and substitute Memory Ngonda almost added a second when her long-range strike beat the goalkeeper but came back off the crossbar.
Hikuam eventually got the goal her performance deserved late in the game, sealing a deserved 2-0 win for Namibia.
The result sends Namibia top of the three-team Group C on three points, with Madagascar still to play and Mozambique bottom of the standings.
The tournament moves to Seshego Stadium on day four with matchday two in Group A.
South Africa and Angola clash at 12h30 CAT (10h30 GMT) in a battle between the two winners from the opening round which could not be a group decider.
Malawi and Lesotho will both be chasing their first points when they clash at 15h30 CAT (13h30 GMT).
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