Nsingizini Ladies CAF dream up in smoke

(At Gaborone United Stadium, Botswana, courtesy of MulaSport and Century Fashions)

Nsingizini……..(1)1

Lucia 26^th

Costa do Sol…..(3)3

Lucia 16^th, 21^st, Nadia 38^th

BOTSWANA – Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies’ ambitions of progressing to the next round of their CAF qualifying campaign were crushed following a 1-3 setback to Costa do Sol.

This was during a pulsating Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League/Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Qualifiers match staged under sunny Gaborone United Stadium skies before a sizable crowd of spectators yesterday. 

Nsingizini tactician Mpendulo Mawelela had made numerous changes to his starting line-up with the likes of Anele Ngwenya and skipper Nomfundo Bhembe replacing Siphelele Mpandza and Noxolo Lukhele,among others. This was a do or die mission as his charges needed to secure maximum points so their stay can be extended in this competition. The rules in this edition have been flexed a little with two teams per group progressing to the next round. However, the second defeat places Nsingizini at a disadvantage with one game to go. This is especially since they lost by a huge margin of 8-0 in their first match. 

Their next opponents Silver Strikers were scheduled to face Mamelodi Sundowns late yesterday. Regardless, the game was yet to play at the time of compiling this report. 

On the field of play, Costa do Sol registered an early lead through Lucia Moçambique just 16  minutes into play after what looked like miscommunication between goalkeeper Nompilo Dlamini and the backline featuring her twin sister Philisiwe Dlamini. As if that was not enough, Moçambique completed her brace in the 21^st minute. This was before Mpendulo Mawelela’s charges reduced the lead, thanks to South African forward Lucia Gaonwe from a Nonjabuliso ‘Shimi’ Mokgale’s neat close range pass. However, the Rui Evora’s side stretched their dominance as Nadia Farranguana found Nompilo’s net two minutes before the break. Just after the 44^th minute mark, Nthabeleng Potsane looked to gatecrash into Neima Nhamire’s perimeters but was blocked by Cheila Afonso. As a result, Costa do Sol held a two-goal advantage into the break after an action-packed first half. 

Upon resumption of play, replacement Neliswa Ngcamphalala tried to fire past Nhamire but the shot-stopper was swift enough to snatch the ball from her feet. This was before skipper Bhembe struck a good ball outside the yard which landed straight into Nhamire’s hands on the hour mark. On the other hand, Angila Mutula hoped to sneak in a cross but Philisiwe successfully cleared the shot. In the dying minutes of the match, Nsingizini had extended their lead and Gaonwe could have completed her brace but referee Elodie Livaharivony ruled this goal offside. Even though both sides crafted good opportunities, the score remained 1-3 when Livaharivony blew her final whistle. Nsingizini will have to redeem themselves tomorrow when they face Strikers.