 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country |  South Africa |
| Dates | 4–15 October |
| Teams | 12 (from 1 sub-confederation) |
| Venue(s) | 3 (in 2 host cities) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Malawi (1st title) |
| Runners-up |  Zambia |
| Third place |  Mozambique |
| Fourth place |  Zimbabwe |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 22 |
| Goals scored | 70 (3.18 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Temwa Chawinga (9 goals) |
| Best player(s) | Temwa Chawinga |
| Best goalkeeper | Cynthia Shongwe |
| Fair play award | Zambia |
← 2022 2024 → | |
The 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship was the eleventh edition of the COSAFA Women's Championship, also known as the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women's Championship for sponsorship purposes, the annual international women's association football championship contested by women's national teams of Southern Africa and organised by COSAFA. The tournament took place from 4 to 15 October 2023 in South Africa.[1][2] The opening match was won by Eswatini, beating Madagascar at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on 4 October 2023 and achieving their first COSAFA Women's Championship victory since 2020.[3]
Malawi were crowned 2023 champions[4] after defeating reigning champions Zambia's Copper Queens 2–1 in the final. It was the first time Malawi had won a COSAFA Women's tournament, securing their first major title.[5] Mozambique claimed their first medal at the COSAFA Women's Championship.[6] Malawian player Temwa Chawinga achieved a remarkable double, clinching the Golden Boot with nine goals during the tournament and also claiming the Golden Ball award.[7] Zimbabwe goalkeeper Cynthia Shongwe won the Golden Glove, awarded to the best-performing goalkeeper of the tournament.
Of the twelve teams taking part, Zimbabwe and Madagascar returned to the competition after missing last year's edition.[8] 2011 Champions Zimbabwe advanced to the semi-finals for the first time since 2019. Host and seven times champion South Africa were eliminated in the group stage after they failed to beat Malawi, the first time the team had not made the semi-finals at the tournament.[9]
- ^ "Cosafa Women's Champs to be hosted in Gauteng". namibian.com.na. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "2023 COSAFA Women's Championship to be hosted in Gauteng". cosafa.com. COSAFA. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Eswatini off to flying start against Madagascar at 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship". kick442.com. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Diamond, Drew (17 October 2023). "COSAFA Cup: Malawi claim historic title with win over Zambia". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Malawi dethrone Zambia to win first Cosafa Women's Cup title". timeslive.co.za. Sithembiso Dindi. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "INÉDITO: MOÇAMBIQUE CONQUISTA BRONZE NO COSAFA FEMININO" [LIVE: MOZAMBIQUE WINS BRONZE IN WOMEN’S COSAFA]. esfericomoz.com (in Portuguese). 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Diamond, Drew (19 October 2023). "COSAFA Champions Malawi to receive zero prize money". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Mighty Warriors drawn in Group C for Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women Championship 2023". chronicle.co.zw. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Banyana beat Eswatini but still bow out of COSAFA Women's Championship". safa.net. South African Football Association. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.