Ashley Nakazwe

African, but mostly Women's Football through my lens

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  • Womens Football suffers again as the Hollywood Super League is suspended

    The alarming rising number of positive Covid-19 cases in South Africa has led to the immediate suspension of the League after an urgent meeting between SAFA (South Africa Football Association) , the league sponsor Hollywoodbets and Broadcast partner SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) held on July the 6th,2021.

    Unfortunately, the delta variant is very infectious and difficult to contain hence it being one of the issues considered when suspending the league recommended by SAFA Chief medical officer, Dr Thulani Ngwenya. Furthermore, some of the players participating in the league have tested positive as reported by some of the teams.

    “The suspension of this league will assist in managing and controlling the surge of this Pandemic, while preserving the lives of the players, team management, match officials and other stakeholders.

    The league will resume on the weekend of August the 7th,2021 giving ample time for the infected to quarantine, recover and prepare for the league to resume.

    Source: SAFA Media

  • South Africa’s Bafana Bafana victorious over a defensive Botswanan side

    Host Nation South Africa start off their campaign of the Tournament with a 1:0 Victory against Botswana. Malinga scored the only goal in the game in the 67th minute for Bafana Bafana after managing to get past the Zebras who had been playing an attacking game and created a few chances of their own.

    “It’s important to congratulate the boys. Some of them are playing for Bafana Bafana for the first time.” – Assistant Coach Morena.

    Bafana Bafana will meet Eswatini in their next encounter.

    Photo Credits : Cosafa Media

  • Great start to the Tournament as Eswatini beat Lesotho to a 3:1 Victory.

    Group A teams Eswatini and Lesotho opened the tournament at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 7 minutes into the game, Jane Thabansto of Lesotho was sent off after being redcarded over a dangerous tackle.

    In the 42nd the minuet, Felix Badenhorst opened the scoring line to put Eswatini in the lead, However Khutlang equalized right before halftime for Lesotho.

    In the second half, Eswatini doubled their lead with a goal by Khethokhule in the 57th minute and Man of the Match Fenelo Mamba trippled their lead in the 78th minute.

    Fenelo Mamba – MOTM

    Photo Credits – Cosafa Media.

  • Late changes in the Cosafa Cup 2021 Fixtures

    Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini have been drawn in group A as Cosafa conducted a draw after Madagascar and Comoros fail to make it to the tournament.

    Earlier last week, the Comoros Islands decided not to come to the tournament due to COVID-19 related matters and a day before the start, Madagascar also withdew

    Malawi, originally drawn in group B with Zambia, Comoros and Madagascar will now play in the new group B alongside guest team Senegal, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

    • Copper Queens Tokyo Olympics Squad

      The countdown is on as we get closer and closer to the Tokyo Olympics.

      This morning, Coach Bruce Mwape named the 22 Women Squad that will be representing Zambia and Africa at the tournament.

      The final list of the Squad captained by Barbara Banda include; Hazel Nali (GK), Ngambo Musole (GK), Catherine Musonda (GK), Belemu Margaret, Martha Tembo, Siamfuko Esther, Lushomo Mweemba, Anita Mulenga, Musesa Agness, Grace Chanda, Khosa Fikile, Mary Wilombe, Ireene Lungu, Ochumba Oseke, Esther Mukwasa, Evelyn Susan Katongo, Hellen Mubanga,Avell Chitundu, Rachel Kundananji, Hellen Chanda & Vast Phiri

      “We really wanted to play more High Profile friendly games before the tournament but you are all aware of this Pandemic and there is nothing we can do. However we can not just sit back, we have been trying by all means to make sure that we watch most of the games that our opponents play. “

      Sadly Mary Mwakapila will be missing out as she has been unwell since the trip to Chile. In addition, Rhoda  Chileshe and Misozi Zulu also failed to make it from the 35 Players that had been registered in camp.

      “All i can say to the Fans is for them to believe in us and surely we will deliver good results. We really want to go and achieve good results” – Barbara Banda

    • No improvements in the Womens World Ranking for the Cosafa Region

      South Africa’s Banyana-banyana still at the top of the Cosafa Region in the FIFA Womens World Ranking at 55 although maintaining the same position in the recently published list.

      The Cosafa region has made no improvements since the last ranking list on April 16th, 2021.

      • Zambia – 104
      • DRC – 111
      • Zimbabwe – 119
      • Angola – 127
      • Namibia – 146
      • Malawi 149
      • Botswana 153
      • Lesotho – 156
      • Swaziland – 157
      • Mozambique – 159
      • Comoros Islands – 164
      • Madagascar – 166
      • Mauritius – 167

      The full list of the FIFA Coca-Cola Womens World Ranking >>> https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/womens-ranking?dateId=ranking_20210416

    • 2021 Cosafa Cup Fixtures

      The 2021 Cosafa Cup being held in Gqeberha (Nelson Mandela Bay) starting July 6th, a day earlier than previously announced, will now run until July 18th.

      The host Nation South Africa will start off their campaign with the first match against Botswana on July 6th.

      Bafana Bafana squad for the COSAFA Cup:

      Goalkeepers:
      Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs FC)
      Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows FC)

      Defenders:
      Rushine De Reuck (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
      Denwin Farmer (Baroka FC)
      Siyabonga Ngezana (Kaizer Chiefs FC)
      Njabulo Ngcobo (Moroka Swallows FC)

      Keenan Phillips (Supersport United FC)
      Mashweu Mphahlele (Baroka FC)
      Sifiso Ngobeni (Bloemfontein Celtic FC)
      Bongani Sam (Orlando Pirates FC)

      Midfielders:
      Sphelele Mkhulise (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
      Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy FC)
      Siyethemba Sithebe (AmaZulu FC)
      Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United FC)

      Kgaogelo Sekgota (Moroka Swallows FC)
      Tiklas Thutlwa (Black Leopards FC)
      Happy Mashiane (Kaizer Chiefs FC)
      Vincent Pule (Orlando Pirates FC)

      Strikers:
      Tshegofatso Mabasa  (Orlando Pirates FC)
      Goodman Mosele (Baroka FC)

      The Assistant Coach; Helman Mkhalele emphasized how he believes the Players that had been selected will bring glory for Bafana Bafana. In addition, he added the reason being is to widen the scope and allow the younger ones gain experience.

      The list is made up of the younger players because we are preparing them for the future which is the World Cup Qualifiers and beyond. It will be easier for them to create a strong bond between them and the already so experienced players

    • Cosafa Cup 2021 Draw

      The 20th edition of the COSAFA Cup is set for July 7th to the 18th, 2021 in Gquberha (Port Elizabeth) – Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

      The defending Champions Zambia have been drawn in group B against the Comoros Islands, Madagascar and Malawi, while the host Nation South Africa will play in group A against Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho. Senegal, the guest Nation are in group C with Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe as their oponents.

      Last year, the tournament was postponed due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. The Chairman of Cosafa Mr Timothy Shongwe emphasised how the absence of the Tournament affected the region.

      “Most of the Nations use this tournament as a warm up for the regional tournaments such as Caf Chan and the Africa Cup OF Nations. The absence of the Tournament last year affected a lot of people. Not just the spectators but also the Players.”

    • Nkana FC, The Super Division Nightmare

      The illusion that Football has Big teams sometimes can be questioned when the very “Big teams” underperform

      This 2020/21 season, in the Zambian Super Division, the defending Champions have found themselves in a position to fight relegation with only two games left. The Kitwe giants,Nkana FC who celebrated their 13th title last season failed to keep up with the winning momentum this time around.

      Nkana have lost 16 matches out of the 32 played with only 11 wins and 5 draws – the most recent result being a late 1 all draw equaliser by Alex Ngonga against Zanaco FC on June 16th, 2021. Some form of character by a team literally walking on thin ice with two important matches coming up.

      Zanaco FC however need to secure a spot in continental Football and a win is a must in their next encounter after missing out this season.

    • A legend in Uganda, A living Success in the South African Psl

      Earlier this year, Ugandan National Professional Goal Keeper Dennis Onyango announced his retirement from International Football after 86
      caps for the East African Nation.


      16 years since his International debut against Cape Verde on June 18th,2005 in the World Cup Qualifiers, Onyango became a regular the Cranes and him leading the National team to Qualify to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 since 1978 is one of the most memorable career highlights.

      Recently, the retired International Goalkeeper who however still plays for his Club – Mamelodi Sundowns was at the Orlando Stadium to Support the Uganda Cranes in their International Friendly encounter with Bafana Bafana.
      In a statement referring to his retirement, He said “I left International Football to give chance the Younger ones”.

      This season, at the end of the Dstv Premiership, Denis Onyango was named the Goalkeeper of the 2020/21 season. His team was the tournament Champions, One can only wonder what next season has install for him.

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