Sunday, February 9, 2025

Region 5 Games: Copper Princesses start tournament on a winning note

The Zambia U-17 Women’s national team came from a goal down to beat Botswana 3-1 in their opening game of the ongoing Region Five Games in Lesotho.

The Kaluba Kangwa tutored outfit had a strong start to the match but were unconvincing in front of goal. Jessy Zulu, Blessings Zulu, and Lucy Kajiya failed to connect with the numerous chances that came through. Zambia dominated the match from the word goal.

It was however Botswana who struck first as Serati Modisenyane caught Chitete Munsaka off guard with a beautiful long-range strike.

Kaluba Kangwa’s lasses started to come back into the game but they still could not find the back of the net and went to the break trailing, 1-0.

The Copper Princesses however just needed four minutes to level matters in the second stanza as Lucy Kajiya reacted quickly to benefit from a miscommunication from the Botswana defense and goalkeeper to slot home from close range and celebrate with the iconic Suu celebration by Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

It was almost one-way traffic now as the Copper Princesses took the game to their Botswana counterparts.

Zambia had a chance to take the lead after the hour mark but Blessing Zulu missed her penalty, sending the ball over the bar. Zambia was awarded the spot-kick after Lucy Kajiya was fouled by Maduo Radijeng.

Blessings however made up for her mistake in the 83rd minute as she did well on the right wing to bring a fine cross which ended up at skipper Lubasi Pumulo’s feet after a failed clearance.

Lubasi then picked out an unmarked, Jessy Zulu inside the box and the Pataaki Girls forward made no mistake beating Karabo Luka in the Botswana goal.

Zambia sealed the win in the first minute of additional time as Lucy Kajiya danced around in the Botswana defense beating two defenders before putting the ball past Karabo to grab her brace and again doing the CR7 celebration.

The win takes Zambia to the top of the three team pool. The tournament is being played on a round robin basis.

Namibia will make their entrance in the competition when they face last years’ runners up, Zambia at 10h00 CAT (08h00 GMT).

Region V Games (COSAFA U17 Girls Youth Championship 2021)

FULL-TIME: Zambia 3-1 Botswana
Lucy Kajiya 49’, 90’ Jessy Zulu 83’ | Serati Modisenyane 29’

Player of the Match: Jessy Zulu (Zambia)

Zambia XI: Chitete Musanka 16, Monica Mutisa 2, Theresa Musatila 13, Esther Musialela 12, Luty Kamanga 4, Roydah Ngandu 3, Josephine Phiri, 8 ( Gracious Tailoshi 46′) Lubasi Pumulo 20 © 20, Jessy Zulu 14, Blessing Zulu 11 (Doris Musonko 90′), Lucy Kajiya 7

UNUSED SUBS
Shanice Kolala 18, Mutinta Hatembo 6, Bertha Kabota 19, Tefeoga Munene 15,

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