Group A at the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA qualifiers is nicely poised after both matches failed to produce a winner on the opening day at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in eThekwini on Wednesday.
In the earlier kick off, tournament debutants Ntopwa FC registered a historic point as they held Lesotho Defence Force to a 1-1 draw, putting in an excellent performance in their first game at the regional championship.
The Malawi champions could have scored more goals if experienced striker Vanessa Chikupila, who eventually netted the opener in injury time at the end of the first half, was clinical in front of goal in both halves of the game. Ntopwa also missed a penalty.
The side were made to regret missing their chances as Maseriti Mohlolo equalised late in the game to seal a point for the Lesotho champions.
@CAFwomen Champions League|@COSAFAMEDIA Qualifiers
— FAM Women's Football (@FamWomen) August 30, 2023
FULL TIME
Lesotho Defence Force 1(Maseriti Mhololo 86') -1 Ntopwa (Vanessa Chikupira 45')#CAFWCL pic.twitter.com/3p23DkU9qN
In the second game of the day, Botswana’s Double Action Ladies captain Lesego Radiakanyo scored the fastest ever goal of the qualifiers, heading home inside 40 seconds to hand her side the lead against defending champions Green Buffaloes.
The Zambian side enjoyed more possession but couldn’t do much with it in the first half.
However, substitute Siomala Mapepa levelled for Buffaloes soon after being introduced in the second half, leaving the game to end 1-1.
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— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) August 30, 2023
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🇿🇲Green Buffaloes 1-1 🇧🇼Double Action Ladies
⚽️00'40 Radiakanyo
⚽️'50 Mapepa
🏆POM Obonetse Rathari#CWCL2023, #CAF, #VisitDurban pic.twitter.com/yBRsqK9hzX
As it stands, all the teams in the group have a point, making it an interesting fight to finish in the top two and earn a semifinal ticket.
On Thursday, Costa do Sol and Young Buffaloes open proceedings in Group B at 12pm CAT (SA, GMT+2) at the same venue with the 2021 champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and Olympic de Moroni playing in the last match of the day at 3:30pm.
Entrance for fans to all matches will be FREE of charge, with tickets available at the stadium on match day. They are limited to four per person.
If you cannot get to the stadium, you can watch all matches streamed LIVE on Fifa+. Games will also be carried on SuperSport.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Group A
Lesotho Defence Force 1 (Mohlolo 87’) Ntopwa FC 1 (Chikupila 45’)
Green Buffaloes 1 (Mapepa 50’) Double Action 1 (Radiakanyo 1’)
THURSDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B
Costa do Sol v Young Buffaloes (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Mamelodi Sundowns v Olympic de Moroni (KO 15h30; 13h30 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS
GROUP A P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Double Action 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Green Buffaloes 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Lesotho Defence Force 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1
Ntopwa FC 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
GROUP B P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Mamelodi Sundowns 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Olympic de Moroni 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Young Buffaloes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Costa do Sol 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 2
Goals scored: 4
Biggest victory: –
Most goals in a game: 2 – Lesotho Defence Force 1 Ntopwa FC 1 (Group A, August 30); Green Buffaloes 1 Double Action 1 (Group A, August 30)
GOAL SCORERS
1 goal – Vanessa Chikupila (Ntopwa FC), Siomala Mapepa (Green Buffaloes), Maseriti Mohlolo (Lesotho Defence Force), Lesego Radiakanyo (Double Action