MOZAMBIQUE brightened their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the inaugural Cosafa women's tournament after a committed display against a mediocre Botswana outfit in their last Group B match at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The Mozambicans, who were hammered 13-0 by South Africa at the same venue on Monday, needed this victory to move into second position on the log and hope that Swaziland falter in their last match against Banyana Banyana today.
Swaziland needs only to win by a one goal difference against Banyana Banyana today to pip Mozambique for a place in the semi-finals.
But considering that they play the tournament's strongest team, the Swazis have an insurmountable task trying to dismantle South Africa.
After their disappointing 0-13 massacre by Banyana Banyana, Mozambique raised their game in yesterday's match to remain in contention.
With the exciting Armanda Lupia causing all sorts of problems to the Botswana defence, Mozambique took the lead as early as the seventh minute. Lupia was well positioned to nod home Mozambique's opener from their fourth corner of the day.
The Mozambicans piled on pressure and duly went further ahead in the 27th minute.
A defensive mix-up saw Sandra Kourouma ghosting in from the blind side to power home a beauty that went in after the Botswana failed to clear a harmless looking ball in the box.
The goal seemed to take the steam out of the Botswana girls who then went into a lull and conceded another goal in the 35th minute.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
The goal was created by Assina Haje who released Lupia just outside the box.
The latter took on the Batswana defence and successfully dribbled her way into the penalty box before unleashing a magnificent shot that beat impressive goalkeeper Modisaotsile Kefilwe all systems out.
Botswana could have pulled one goal back after 38 minutes but, surprisingly, striker Masimola Neo drove the ball wide of the goal after having dribbled past the sprawling Mozambican goalkeeper Lucrecia Chavangvane.
The Batswana were punished two minutes later for that miss when Lupia registered a hat-trick and Mozambique's fourth goal.
The striker, who had found a fruitful avenue around the porous double centrehalf of Lorato Mooketsi and Lorato Mothelesi, ventured into enemy territory, dribbled her way into the box and hammered home the goal that saw the Botswana cause in the tournament evaporate.
More goals by Lupia (59th minute) and Koruoma, who also scored a hat-trick when she added two more goals to her name in the 65th and 76th minutes after her earlier goal, meant Botswana will catch an early flight back home.
They, however, registered a first when they became the first losing team since the tournament started to score a face saver when Masimola Neo got their solitary goal a minute into injury time.
Meanwhile, Zambia also sent Lesotho packing when they beat them 3-1 in the second match of the day at the same venue yesterday.
