Banyana Banyana secured their third successive COSAFA Cup title after defeating Zambia 1-0 in the final on Sunday afternoon.
Busisiwe Ndimeni had the first clear chance for Banyana in the seventh minute after bursting her way into the right side of the box, but she blasted her effort over the target as the South Africans pushed for an early lead. The hosts found the finishing touches in the 18th minute towards what they thought was the opening goal at the back post but the goal was ruled out for offside. Four minutes later, Tiisetso Makhubela eventually broke the deadlock for Ellis' charges, striking the ball past goalkeeper Hazel Nali after the Copper Queens' shot-stopper fumbled a cross inside the box, 1-0. Zambia ladies struggled to deal with crosses in the area and were lucky again in the 29th minute as a flicked header at the near post that looped over Nali and to the back of the net but the effort was disallowed by the officials for offside. Banyana were struggling to put together a string of passes in the closing stages of the first stanza, with the wind playing a role in the disjointed play, with their backs against the wall but they managed to head to the break with a 1-0 lead. After quiet spells of play, Ndimeni had a glorious chance to double the lead for Banyana with 15 minutes remaining after going clear on goal, but her chip over the Zambia goalkeeper sailed over the bar, although she was flagged offside moments later. Refiloe Jane almost found the insurance goal for Banyana with five minutes remaining after going clear inside the box, but her shot missed wide and again the offside flag was raised belatedly, while Mamello Makhabane squandered a golden chance moments later. Nevertheless, it did not matter in the end as Banyana held on to their narrow lead and won 1-0 in the end to retain their COSAFA Cup crown, clinching the title for the third successive time.
