By McGeorge Mbare
Zambia women soccer team has been crowned as the 2024 Hollywood bet COSAFA Women Champions after beating host South Africa 4-3 on penalties at the weekend.
Following their previous 2022 triumph, the Copper Queens scooped the 2024 championship in style breaking the seven time champions Banyana Banyana 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after they were tied 0-0 at full time
South Africa went to the final hoping to lift their first title since 2020 backed by the home crowd while Zambia were playing in their third successful final appearance and they managed to secure the championship .
The 22year South African midfielder Isabella Alexa Ludwig was named the Hollywood bet COSAFA women 2024‘s player of the tournament. Despite her team finishing as runners up, the young midfielder played a significant role in her team to reach the final of this tournament.
In addition, the Zambian duo of Ochumba Lubanji and Fridah Mukoma claimed the golden boot after they scored four goals each, meanwhile Banyana Banyana’s goalie, Jessica Williams won the golden glove.
The tournament has been one of the exciting one with 75 goals scored in only 21 matches.
Prior to the final, Banyana Banyana and Zambia have faced each other 12 times. Banyana Banyana had managed to defeat Zambia seven times whilst Zambia won one with four games drawn reflecting an upper hand skewed towards the South Africans.
Both teams had a good scoring form and less conceding record in their 2024 road to the COSAFA Women’s final.