Zambia’s U-20 Women’s National Team booked their place in the final of the COSAFA U-20 Youth Championship | Region 5 Games with a dominant 5-0 victory over Botswana at the Hage Geingob Stadium.
Striker Bwalya Namute Chileshe was the standout performer in the first half, scoring twice—opening the scoring in the 3rd minute before calmly converting a penalty in the 35th. Midfielder Ruth Mukoma added a third just before halftime to give Zambia a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
The Young Copper Queens maintained their attacking momentum in the second half, with Saliya Mwanza netting a stunning goal in the 46th minute to make it 4-0. Mwanza’s all-round display earned her the Player of the Match award.
Substitute Ruth Muwowo capped off the performance with a 90th-minute strike, sealing a comprehensive 5-0 win for Zambia.
We’re ready for any opponent – Nthala
The result sends Zambia to the tournament final, where they will face the winner of the other semi-final between South Africa and Namibia.
“It wasn’t an easy game. Botswana was a little bit tougher than these other teams that we have played with,” Zambia’s coach Charity Nthala said after the match. “I know Botswana; we have been playing with Botswana most of the time, but it’s only that we used a good strategy to score many goals because we knew that they had studied us, and we knew how they were going to play.”
Nthala added that her team is prepared to face either finalist and urged her players to remain focused.
“It’s just to tell them to stay focused in the game, which will be the final. Looking at my team, we are ready to play with any team, either Namibia or South Africa. We are ready for any team,” she concluded.
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