Copper Princesses beat Comoros to qualify for 2020 COSAFA U-17 Women’s Championship final

The Zambia U-17 Women’s national team has qualified to the final of the 2020 COSAFA U-17 Women’s Championship following a 3-0 win over the Comoros Islands this afternoon.

The team came into the match looking to continue their good run in the tournament having won the opening two games.

Coach Kaluba Kangwa made one change to the team that started against Tanzania on Friday with Cindy Banda being rested as she has a knock and was replaced by Progress midfielder Tionge Sambo.

The Copper Princesses started strong dominating play and creating chances. Margaret Taonga Chulu had two chances early on to put the 2019 bronze medallists in the lead but failed to beat Ben Ali Said Amina in the Comoros Islands goal.

Zambia finally took the lead in the 17th minute with Comfort Selemani heading in a Tisilile Lungu corner to put the Copper Princesses in the lead.

Zambia continued to pile pressure with the match looking like a very much one-sided affair. Zambia was awarded a penalty in the 44th minute after Tisilile Lungu was brought down in the box.

Lungu stepped up but her initial shot was saved by Said Amina, She followed up with a rebound which was again saved but she was not going to be denied the third time as she slotted home.

Zambia was awarded another penalty minutes later but Comfort Selemani shot direct at the goalkeeper Amina, The ball fell to Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda who ballooned her effort way over the bar.

Second-half substitute Bupe Banda added a third in the 61st minute a comfortable win for the Kaluba Kangwa drilled side who maintain their 100 percent win rate in the Tournament and qualify to the final.

Kafue Celtic forward Tisilile Lungu was voted as the player of the match for her impressive performance with a goal and an assist to her name.

Zambia will face Zimbabwe on Thursday in a  formality match before facing Tanzania in the final on Saturday at 11:00 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Zambia Starting XI

Chitete Munsaka(Miriam Siakaduoi 81′), Martha Katila Banda, Esther Siyamfuko(C), Luty Kamanga, Judith Soko, Esther Banda (Beauty Zulu 81′), Shelly Masumo, Tisilile Lungu, Tionge Sambo (Bupe Banda 46′), Taonga Margaret Chulu (Miriam Mwape 44′), Comfort Selemani ( Jackeline Nambeya 73′)

Full-time

Zambia 3-0 Comoros

(Comfort Selemani 17', Tisilile Lungu 44,' Bupe Banda 61')

Zambia through to the final which will take place on Saturday with a yet to be decided opponent . pic.twitter.com/NqddjBDAhc

— #Mr-Zambian-Football (@Mubajnr) November 10, 2020