The final of the Girls’ competition will be staged on Sunday when defending champions Zambia take on South Africa at 14h30 CAT.
The latter have never won this competition so will be aiming for their maiden gold medal, while Zambia are seeking back-to-back titles after also lifting the trophy in Maseru.
Zambia squeezed past Malawi on penalties in their semifinal, while South Africa were more comfortable 3-0 winners over Botswana in their knockout clash.
Hosts Malawi claimed a third-place finish after trouncing Botswana 9-0 at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday, largely due to the performance of Faith Chinzimu who scored a hat-trick.
The Boys’ TotalEnergies U17 AFCON Algeria 2023 | COSAFA Qualifier will also come to a conclusion with both finalists Zambia and South Africa (kickoff 17h30 CAT) having already sealed their place at the continental finals next April.
Zambia have been beaten in the final of the last two tournaments, including by South Africa in 2020, so will be desperate to make it third time lucky in Lilongwe.
These have been the two best sides in the competition and so it is a fitting finale, where South African striker Siyabonga Mabena looking to wrap up the Golden Boot by adding to his nine goals.
The third-place play-off will be staged earlier in the day when Botswana meet Malawi in the battle for bronze (11h30 CAT).
Both these sides have had excellent tournaments and shown the future of the national team is bright, but would like to walk away with some consolation to show for it.
Both the Boys’ and Girls’ tournaments are being played as part of the Region 5 Games Lilongwe 2022.
All matches will be streamed live on COSAFA.TV and FIFA+, and you can get a full rundown of the Girls’ fixtures right here, and the Boys’ matches here.
We will also be providing coverage across our multitude of social media platforms – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube – where we will provide news and behind-the-scenes features from Lilongwe.
SATURDAY’S RESULT
COSAFA GIRLS’ UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP
Third-Place Play-Off
Botswana 0
Malawi 9 (Linda Manda 1st min, Leticia Chinyamula 13th min, 30th min, Rose Kadzere 32nd min, Faith Chinzimu 23rd min, 39th min, 46th min, Sarah Mulimbika 61st min, 70th min)
SUNDAY’S FIXTURES
TOTALENERGIES U17 AFCON ALGERIA 2023 | COSAFA QUALIFIER
Third-Place Play-Off
11h30 CAT (09h30 GMT): Botswana vs Malawi – Bingu National Stadium
Final
17h30 CAT (15h30 GMT): Zambia vs South Africa – Bingu National Stadium
COSAFA GIRLS’ UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP
Final
14h30 CAT (12h30 GMT): Zambia vs South Africa – Bingu National Stadium
TOTALENERGIES U17 AFCON ALGERIA 2023 | COSAFA QUALIFIER STATISTICS
Matches Played: 10
Goals scored: 42
Biggest victory: Seychelles 0 South Africa 11 (Group B, December 3)
Most goals in a game: 11 – Seychelles 0 South Africa 11 (Group B, December 3)
GOALSCORERS
9 goals – Siyabonga Mabena (South Africa)
5 – Emmanuel Mwanza (Zambia)
3 – Lutetekelo Kapowa (Zambia), Dhakier Lee (South Africa), Losika Ratshukudu (Botswana), Benjamin Wallis (South Africa), Marcel Zimba (Zambia)
1 – Vincent Harrison (Malawi), Lorenzo Hoareau (Seychelles), Blessings Kanowa (Malawi), Samson Malaya (Zambia), Bonniface Manopolo (Botswana), Xhosa Manyana (South Africa), Mwisho Mhango (Malawi), Lucky Mkandawire (Malawi), Bennet Mokoena (South Africa),
[Cosafa]
