Zambia were crowned the 2024 COSAFA Under-17 Girls Championship winners after humbling debutants Lesotho 15-0 in a one sided final in Soweto.
Zambia become the first two-time winners of the competition, repeating their 2021 success. Uganda (2019), Tanzania (2020) and South Africa (2022) are the other winners.
The Copper Princesses were ruthless in front of goal, scoring six goals in the first half. Masela Sekeseke opened the scoring in the opening five minutes before assisting Hellen Banda for her side’s second goal inside 10 minutes.
Captain Mercy Chipasula joined the party in the seventh minute which was followed by a stunner soon after and a penalty conversion to complete a hat-trick.
Lesotho had a slim chance getting in the opposition’s half with Ntsamaeng Tholo’s attempt which was blocked by Loveness Chingwela five minutes to the break.Three minutes from that Chipasula set-up Lillian Mwenda for Zambia’s sixth goal.
It took 10 minutes for the girls from Lusaka to add more goals in the second half with Sekeseke assisting Chipasula’s fourth goal. The latter also netted her fifth of the game two minutes later to make it 8-0 at the hour mark.
She would end the game with seven goals.The skipper soon after returned the favour to Sekeseke for the latter’s second goal of the match while on her way completing her hat-trick soon after.
It was a one way traffic as Chipasula added two goals while assisting Banda for her second of the game and Zambia’s 13th, before they added two more.
The Under-17 girls win completes a hat-trick of trophies for the Zambian women’s sides this year following that of the Under-20 girls and the senior women’s teams this year.Chipasula deservedly won both the Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot for her 13 goals.
Compatriot Loveness Chingwele won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper and Lesotho took home the Fair Play award.
