Florence Natya’s five changes to the starting XI against Angola were justified as three of the players were involved in the goals that helped Zambia win 3-1 in the first match of the day in the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.
The defending champions came into the match needing a win to stay on course to defend their title following the goalless draw against Mozambique in the first match.
Sarah Jere scored the opening goal inside the first three minutes while Eneless Phiri provided the assist for the second goal, a beautiful strike through the top corner by Jackline Nkole in the 20th minute from outside the box.
Angola could have pulled one back nine minutes later through Elsa Caupe from a free-kick but she was denied by the woodwork.
The Zambians could have extended their lead eight minutes to the end of the half through Natasha Nanyangwe. However, she collided with the Angolan goalkeeper Rita Jose with the former becoming a casualty and was eventually replaced by Maylan Mulenga.
The Copper Queens did not take off their foot off the pedal in the second half as they won a set-piece early on which Agnes Phiri took only to be denied by the crossbar.
Player of the Match Evarine Katongo also had a chance to increase the lead but missed the target just slightly. Fifteen minutes to fulltime Zambia had another free kick. Susan Banda stepped up and Jose literally put her body on the line and hit the pole to make a save.
Jose could only do so much with Zambia pilling on pressure and Jere completed her brace five minutes to the final whistle to seal the dominance and hand the side their first victory at this year’s event. Sarah Luvhunga scored in injury time to save face for Angola.
Zambia are equal on four points with first placed Mozambique who defeated Comoros Islands 3-1 in the second match of the day. Comoros drew blood first through Anllaouia Ali in the opening five minutes while Deolinda Gove found the equaliser later in the half.
Mozambique were determined to get a lead and were rewarded early in the second half when Lucia Moҫambique was brought down in the box, and they got a penalty. Gove put that away to complete her brace.
She could have had a hat-trick but her third goal was disallowed two minutes after the penalty. Luis Fuma’s charges were not done yet with Emilia Cazembe scoring a screamer from range to make it 3-1 five minutes to the final whistle.
Angola are placed third with three points while Comoros are bottom of the group table with no points.
Monday will see Group C match day two at the home of DStv Premiership side Moroka Swallows with Botswana and Lesotho opening proceedings at 12h00 and Namibia and Zimbabwe following up in the latest kick-off at 15h30.
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