South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns put in a dominant display to defeat Otjiwarongo Sports Academy of Namibia 16–0 in their second CAF Under-17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) Group A match at Ngoni Stadium near Harare on Thursday, while there was also a victory for host club Mpopoma Sports Academy (MPOSA).
There have now been 48 goals scored in just six matches at the second edition of the CAF U17 GIFT, with excellent attacking football on display and several memorable finishes.
Sundowns moved to the top of their pool on goal difference but now face a winner-takes-all clash with Mpopoma Sports Academy on Sunday for a place in the final. The top two teams in each pool will contest the deciding match on 18 December.
Sandra Mugwara scored four goals for Sundowns and Lesego Tsatsi completed a hat-trick, while Player of the Match Katlego Malebana, Princess Shongwe and Nsovo Nxumalo all scored a brace each. Angelique Mohatle, Boitumelo Manaka and Rosinha Nair also registered their names on the scoresheet.
Otjiwarongo Sports Academy will have gained much from playing against such top-quality opposition and will be better for the experience.
Zimbabwe’s Mpopoma Sports Academy came from behind to defeat Luwinga Academy of Malawi 2–1 in the second game of the day. The Malawian side opened the scoring through Mercy Gondwe in the first half, but that goal was quickly cancelled out by the tournament’s joint top scorer Chiedza Khumalo. She took her tally to five, alongside Sundowns’ Mugwara, as the two streak ahead in the race for the Golden Boot.
Alicia Chinyoka scored the winner for Mpopoma Sports Academy in the second half. Luwinga remain in third place in the group with no points but stay ahead of Otjiwarongo, who sit bottom on goal difference.
Friday is matchday two for Group B, with Okakarara Golden Ladies and Refilwe FC opening proceedings at 12h00 CAT (10h00 GMT), followed by the match between Aguila Stars and Lishoeshoe at 15h00.
Entrance to the Ngoni Stadium is free and fans anywhere in the world can follow the action live on CAF TV and COSAFA’s YouTube Channel.
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Otjiwarongo Sports Academy 0 Mamelodi Sundowns 16 (Mugwara 10’, 13’, 20’, 53’, Tsatsi 13’, 14’, 17’, Malebana 24’, 30’, Mohatle 28’, Shongwe 43’, 83’, Nxumalo 47’, 53’, Manaka 58’, Nair 74’)
Mpopoma Sports Academy 2 (Khumalo 11’, Chinyoka 66’) Luwinga Academy 1 (Gondwe 5’)
