2011 COSAFA Women's Championship News-Sepp Blatter In Zimbabwe

Defending champions South Africa have secured their place in the semifinals of the 2011 COSAFA Women’s Championship after a 4-0 Group B victory over Botswana at the Gwanzura Stadium in Harare on Sunday.

Following their 4-1 success over Zambia a day earlier, Banyana Banyana have assured they cannot finish outside the top two in the pool.

The South Africans were always in control and had the lead on 16 minutes as skipper Amanda Dlamini scored with a powerful shot that left Thuto Ramafifi in the Botswana goal with no chance.


Noko Matlou added to her brace on Saturday with another goal as she netted from 35-yards just after halftime. Mamelo Makhabane then scored a contender for Goal of the Tournament with a superb effort that left Ramafifi helpless once more.
Zanele Sukazi made it 4-0 to South Africa just before the final whistle to keep them on course for the defence of their title.

Also in Group B on Sunday, East African guests Tanzania sealed their spot in the Last 4 with a 2-0 victory over Zambia, who drop out of the competition.
Asha Sada Rashid gave the Tanzanians the lead midway through the first half, before they added a second to seal the points.

Meanwhile in Group A, Lesotho edged Mozambique 3-2 to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
It was 2-2 at halftime with Boitumelo Rabale providing the pick of the goals for Lesotho midway through the first half, before Amelia Banze equalised for Mozambique with their best effort, a superb free-kick from 30-yards.
Rabale netted a fine winner for Lesotho though as she curled in a shot from distance than left Celeste Cuna in the Mozambique goal with no chance.

The other match in Group A between host nation Zimbabwe and Malawi will be played on Monday so as to allow visiting FIFA President Sepp Blatter to attend.
The top two sides in each pool advance to the semifinals, with the winners there to go head-to-head in the final on July 9. The semifinal losers will play for bronze in a third-place play-off.




RESULTS
Group A
02/07 Malawi 1-1 Mozambique
02/07 Zimbabwe 4-0 Lesotho
03/07 Lesotho 3-2 Mozambique
04/07 Malawi vs Zimbabwe
05/07 Malawi vs Lesotho
05/07 Zimbabwe vs Mozambique

Country P W D L GF GA Pts
Zimbabwe 1 1 0 0 4 0 3
Lesotho 2 1 0 1 3 6 3
Malawi 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Mozambique 2 0 1 1 3 4 1

Group B
02/07 South Africa 4-1 Zambia
02/07 Tanzania 3-1 Botswana
03/07 South Africa 4-0 Botswana
03/07 Tanzania 2-0 Zambia
05/07 South Africa vs Tanzania
05/07 Zambia vs Botswana


Country P W D L GF GA Pts
South Africa 2 2 0 0 8 1 6
Tanzania 2 2 0 0 5 1 6
Zambia 2 0 0 1 1 6 0
Botswana 2 0 0 2 1 7 0

SEPP BLATTER JETS IN AS GUEST OF HONOR

Fifa president Sepp Blatter will be the star attraction when Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors take on Malawi in a Cosafa Women championships Group A clash at Rufaro Stadium on this afternoon.


Blatter and Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke arrived expected at the Harare International Airport this morning for a day’s visit where they will meet the country’s football authorities.


The visit by the two most powerful men in world football will be a big boost for the organisers of the Southern region women’s championships whose tournament kicked off on Saturday under a cloud of uncertainties.


After a last-minute pullout by Reunion who were initially expected to host the one-week long soccer jamboree, it all looked dim for the organisers who then gambled to take the tournament to Zimbabwe.


There were major doubts at first with the Sport and Recreation Commission having already said it was not possible to host a tournament at such a short notice.


It took the intervention of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority who pledged to meet the accommodation costs of all the visiting teams while Fifa chipped in and promised to meet other costs. 



They are also expected to pay a courtesy call on President Mugabe at State House.


The FIFA President will also visit the ZIFA village in Mt Hampden to inspect progress on the ZIFA goal project, perform a ground breaking ceremony at the site of the Association’s Training Centre, at the Village  and tour  Rufaro Stadium.


FIFA funded the installation of the Artificial Turf at Mbare Stadium three years  ago.


Blatter is also expected to take time to watch the COSAFA Women’s Championships group, a match between Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors and Malawi at Rufaro.