South Africa through to Cosafa Women’s Championship final

South Africa advanced to this year’s Cosafa Women’s Championship final on Thursday after beating Zambia 5-3 on penalties following a 3-3 draw.

Banyana Banyana came back from three goals down in regulation time to level the semi-final in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, before winning through in the shoot-out.

This is the fifth time (out of five) that the side have reached the final of the tournament organised by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations, having won the trophy on three of their previous four appearances.

Amazing comeback

In the first half, South Africa failed to apply the approach that had taken them to the last four.

Banyana Banyana opted for long balls instead of the quick style of play that they used during the group stage of the tournament. This decision gave Zambia some breathing space and the opportunity to reach the final third of the field.

Zambia’s Barbara Banda opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a well-taken header, smartly converting a cross from Grace Chanda to give her side the lead.

Chanda then netted to make it 2-0 just before half-time.

In the second half, Zambia were also first to score, Misozi Zulu further extending their lead 27 minutes after the break.

But from that moment on, South Africa took control of the game.

In the 77th and 78th minutes, a quickfire double by Leandra Smeda brought the score back to 3-2 to change the complexion of the match.

And two minutes before full time, Refiloe Jane equalised, taking the game to penalties.

The first three spot-kicks were scored by both teams. However, Esther Mukwasa failed to score Zambia's fourth shot, before Lebohang Ramalepe stepped up to convert the decisive penalty.

Zimbabwe, who managed to defeat Kenya 4-0 in the other semi-final, will be South Africa’s opponents in the final.