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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
Namibia 1-2 Lesotho

TWO superb goals by Lesotho captain Rabele Boitumelo handed Lesotho their first Cosafa Women’s Championship victory to eliminate Namibia from the tournament and give Zimbabwe hope of proceeding to the semi-finals.

Namibia went into the game needing a win to progress to the semi-finals as the best runner-up ahead of Zimbabwe, who were held to a 3-3 draw by Malawi at Luveve Stadium, but were stunned by Lesotho, whom they dominated. Lesotho got their goals from set pieces.

Backed by vociferous Zimbabwean fans at Barbourfields Stadium, Lesotho came from a goal down to beat Namibia. Lesotho had found themselves a goal down in the third minute through a penalty converted by Anna Shikusho.

Boitumelo drew Lesotho level in the 22nd minute when she curled in a 30m free-kick and completed her brace 10 minutes into the second half from another long-range set piece.

The local fans, who knew that the Mighty Warriors’ chances of qualifying for the semi-finals are no longer in their hands, cheered Lesotho on as they fought to hold onto the victory. Zimbabwe finished the group stage with five points, two behind rivals Zambia, who clobbered a hapless Madagascar 7-1 in an earlier match at Barbourfields.

In Group C, Botswana finished second with four points after drawing 1-1 with South Africa.

The Mighty Warriors will know their fate this afternoon when Kenya squares off against Swaziland in their final group match.

Kenya, with six points, have already booked a place in the last four after winning their two games, beating Mozambique 5-2 and thrashing Mauritius 11-0.
Swaziland are second on the table with four points from their 3-0 win over Mauritius and the 2-2 draw with Mozambique.

Swaziland can beat the Mighty Warriors to the semi-finals in the event that they pull a shocker and hand Kenya defeat. Kenya carry the Mighty Warriors’ hopes and a draw in today’s encounter will still earn Zimbabwe a semi-final ticket, courtesy of a superior goal difference over Swaziland.

Meanwhile, Zambia will face Group C winners South Africa in the semi-finals set for Thursday.

If Kenya loses to Swaziland, they will progress as the best runners-up, with Swaziland winning Group B, meaning the two might again face-off in the semi-finals.

In the event that Kenya emerge as Group B winners, they will face Zimbabwe.

Results and tables

Group A

Zambia 6-3 Malawi, Zimbabwe 4-0 Madagascar, Madagascar 3-6 Malawi, Zimbabwe 1-1 Zambia, Zambia 7-1 Madagascar, Zimbabwe 3-3 Malawi

P     W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts
Zambia     3     2     1     0     14     5     9     7
Zimbabwe     3     1     2     0     8     4     4     5
Malawi     3     1     1     1     12     12     0     4
Madagascar     3     0     0     3     4     17     -13     0
Group B
Mauritius 0-3 Swaziland, Kenya 5-2 Mozambique, Kenya 11-0 Mauritius, Mozambique 2-2 Swaziland

P     W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts
Kenya    2     2     0     0     16     2     14     6
Swaziland     2     1     1     0     5     2     3     4
Mozambique     2     0     1     1     4     7     -3     1
Mauritius     2     0     0     2     0     14     -14     0

Fixtures

Today: Kenya v Swaziland (Barbourfields, 2PM), Mauritius v Mozambique (Luveve, 2PM)

Group C

Namibia 4-0 Botswana, South Africa 3-0 Lesotho, South Africa 3-1 Namibia, Lesotho 0-3 Botswana, Namibia 1-2 Lesotho, South Africa 1-1 Botswana

P    W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts
South Africa    3     2     1     0     7     2     5     7
Botswana     3     1     1     1     4     6     -2     4
Namibia    3     1     0     2     6     5     1     3
Lesotho     3     1     0     2     2     7     -5     3
-@ZililoR