Costa Do Sol beat Green Buffaloes 2-1 to clinch the bronze medal at the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions| COSAFA Qualifiers.
Buffaloes were the favourites heading into the match and started well with a lot of chances created.
Maylan Mulenga was the first to have a chance after being put on goal by Maweta Chilenga only for a last ditch block to deny her the opening goal.
In the 19th minute, Costa Do Sol came close after a mix up in defence but a Lushomo Mweemba block made sure the match stayed goalless.
Three minutes later, Margaret Chisenga beat two defenders and the goalkeeper but narrowed her angle to tight so she decided to square the ball to Esther Banda who failed to properly connect and her effort was easily dealt with.
Maylan Mulenga had another shot, this time it went narrowly wide.
Salome Phiri also had a chance to put her teammates through on goal but decided to take a shot which went wide.
Costa Do Sol took the lead at the end of the first half, Neide Maconho rising highest to head in a beautiful cross, 1-0.
In the second stanza, Mozambican outfit had the first clear chance but Aisha Mbwana made a crucial save to keep the match at 1-0.
Minutes later Salome was through on goal but somehow failed to level matters with only the keeper to beat.
Costa Do Sol doubled the lead in the 64th minute, Emilia Cazembe with a close range finish.
Salome Phiri pulled one back three minutes to time finishing off a Comfort Selemani cross but it was a little too late, 2-1 the match finished.
The result means, Green Buffaloes finish 4th while Costa Do Sol win bronze.
2023 CAF Women’s Champions| COSAFA Qualifiers | Third and Fourth Play Off
Full-Time
Costa Do Sol 2-1 Green Buffaloes
( Neide Maconho 44′, Emilia Cazembe 64’| Salome Phiri 87′ )
That GBW-FC team was the worst I have seen since these women club competitions started. As I said earlier the team lacked an aggressive goal poacher.
They were even lucky to have got to the semi-finals. Not to take anything away from them the team has lost a lot of players in the past few months. So they need to rebuild quickly and Good Luck.