South Africa opened their 2024 COSAFA Women’s Championship with a narrow but deserved 1-0 win over Namibia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday 22 October. The result, secured by a late strike from Tshegofatso Motlogelwa, saw Banyana Banyana join Eswatini (who thrashed the Seychelles 6-0) at the top of Group A. An inexperienced South African team created plenty of chances throughout, but had to wait until the 84th minute of the match for Isabella Ludwig to set up Motlogelwa, whose long-range shot skidded under the body of the Namibian goalkeeper before finding the back of the net. Namibia had almost snatched the lead moments before, with Irene Cooper setting up Zenatha Coleman, but she was denied by the woodwork after a rebound off the Banyana goalkeeper. Earlier in the match, Keisha Hendricks was guilty of missing several chances for Banyana, before finding the net in the early stages of the second half, only to be denied by the offside flag. The tournament hosts showed great control through midfield thanks to the influence of Motlogelwa, whose passing and movement enabled them to dominate the middle of the park, though improving their efficiency in attack will be the focus as the tournament continues. Banyana will also look to strengthen their defence, which was at times left exposed on the counter attack by the pace of the Namibians. South Africa and Eswatini will contest for top spot in Group A when they meet at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium on Friday 25 October (3pm CAT kick-off, with the other match between Namibia and Seychelles played earlier in the day).