2 November 2024 – Coach Maud Khumalo’s youthful side lost to Zambia 3-4 on penalties in the final of the COSAFA Women’s Championship at Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams could not settle the match after 90 minutes and extra time, and it was left up to the lottery of the penalty shootout to decide the game when it still stood at 0-0 after 120 minutes of football.
Zambia kept their nerve during the shootout and scored all their penalties, while South Africa’s Khutso Phila and Asanda Hadebe had their kicks saved by goalkeeper Ng’ambo Petronella Musole. Isabella Alexa Ludwig, Nobahle Mdelwa and Kesha Hendricks converted for the Sasol-sponsored South Africans.
South Africa thought they had the ball in the back of the net in the second half, but the VAR disallowed the goal, with the game finishing goalless after 90 minutes.
In the prize giving ceremony held on the pitch after the game, Jessica Williams received the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award while Isabella Alexa Ludwig was voted Player of the Tournament.
