Past COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship Golden Ball winners

There have been five previous editions of the COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship since the tournament was first played in 2019, and that means five players who have taken home the prize for Best Player.

We list those recipients and look at their short career path since then to date.

2019 – JESSICA WADE (SOUTH AFRICA)
South Africa lost out to Uganda for the title, but their midfielder Wade was excellent in driving the team forward from the middle of the park. She scored five goals, but it was really here ability to control the midfield that was so impressive. She later had a week at Villarreal in Sapin, before playing in Israel. A long-term injury stunted her progress, but she is now back in South Africa’s Women’s Super League playing as a defensive midfielder for JvW FC.

2020 – TISILILE LUNGU (ZAMBIA)
The forward was a star for Zambia as they missed out on the title on penalties after losing to Tanzania in the decider. Lungu netted five goals and was a constant threat throughout, which caught the eye of a number of observers. She has played for ZANACO Ladies and also been in and around several senior national team squads for Zambia. The future remains extremely bright for Lungu.   

2021 – PUMULO LUBASI (ZAMBIA)
The COVID-19 pandemic meant the 2021 COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship was a shortened one with just three teams competing, but Lubasi stood out as she guided Zambia to the title. She has since gone on to start for the Under-20 national team, and helped Zambia to the COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship that was played last year, keeping her on track for senior team recognition.

2022 – SINAZO NTSHOTA (SOUTH AFRICA)
Ntshota was a driving force in South Africa lifting the title in 2022 and has since continued to develop her game. She was rewarded for that form with a trip to Spain thanks to LaLiga but also represented Banyana Banyana in the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championship. She has also been troubled by serious injury that has meant she has perhaps not quite progressed as she might have hoped.

2024 – MERCY CHIPASULA (ZAMBIA)
Chipasula was the outstanding forward at the 2024 COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship, where her 13 goals lifted Zambia to the title and also claim the Golden Boot. She is, in fact, the only double-recipient of both the Player of the Tournament and top scorer prize. She also appeared for Zambia at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup last year and is still eligible to represent Zambia at the 2025 edition of the COSAFA Under-17 championship.