NEWS: Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Cup set for liftoff

The 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Cup is set to get underway on Wednesday 4 October. Defending champions Zambia and Banyana Banyana are both considered favourites for the competition but will face stiff opposition from their neighbouring Southern African sides. 

South Africa have been drawn alongside Malawi, Madagascar and Eswatini in Group A. Desiree Ellis’ ladies know that winning the group is non-negotiable. They’ve had some decent prep in the lead-up to this tournament, having been defeated twice by the USA, but hardly disgraced. 

That said, they only managed a single shot on target across those two friendlies and will need to sharpen in attack up against their regional rivals, especially with the teams in their group all gunning for a big scalp. 

Zambia have enjoyed a fine year, beating the likes of Germany and drawing with Switzerland in the build-up to the World Cup. Despite heavy losses against eventual winners Spain and a red-hot Japanese side, they still managed a memorable 3-1 over Costa Rica at the showpiece event. 

Their prep has seen them beat Morocco twice in the lead-up to the tournament. They’ll face Mozambique, Angola and Comoros in Group B.

Namibia are the top-seeded side in a very open-looking Group C alongside Botswana, Zimbabwe and Lesotho. It would take a brave punter to part ways with their hard-earned money trying to predict who will finish top come the end of the Group stage. 

This will also be the COSAFA-sanctioned tournament to make use of the video assistant referee (VAR).  The technology will be deployed for the semi-finals, third/fourth place play-off as well as the final. 

The first games kick-off on Wednesday 4 October with the final and the third-place play-off will bring the curtain down on the tournament on Sunday 15 October. Entrance to all of the games is free. See the full list of fixtures by clicking here.