Mamelodi Sundowns crowned CAF U17 GIFT Zimbabwe 2025 champions

Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa were crowned champions of the second edition of the CAF Under-17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) Zimbabwe 2025 after defeating Lishoeshoe from Lesotho 5-0 in the final at a wet Ngoni Stadium on Thursday.

Sundowns join Tanzanian side JKT Queens as winners of the regional trophy after the latter claimed victory in the inaugural edition played in the CECAFA region in January this year.

Sundowns were worthy winners of this latest instalment, scoring 30 goals and conceding just one in their four matches to finish with both the best attack and defence in the competition.

Captain Katlego Malebana opened the scoring inside three minutes from the penalty spot, while Nsovo Nxumalo, Busisiwe Mokoena, Lesego Tsatsi and Roshina Nair each added a goal for the South Africans.

The side was also represented in the individual awards, with attacker Munashe Mugwara walking away with the Player of the Tournament accolade.

The Goalkeeper of the Tournament award went to Mercy Mwale of Zambia’s Aguila Girls, while the Golden Boot award was shared between Luwinga Academy’s Tamandani Chilimba and Nancy Lebang of Okakarara Golden Ladies, who both scored eight goals. The Fair Play award went to silver medallists Lishoeshoe.

Zimbabwe’s Mpopoma Sports Academy took third place after defeating Aguila Girls 4-1 in the bronze medal match.

Shantel Gwenhamo was on the scoresheet for the side from Bulawayo, while Chiedza Khumalo scored a brace to finish the tournament with seven goals and Rejoice Chamunorwa contributed the fourth.

Beatrice Chipupula netted the consolation for the Zambian representatives, who finished fourth.

In total, 118 goals were scored in 16 matches, with thrilling football on display and valuable experience gained by the players involved.

CAF introduced the GIFT U17 tournament to give club teams in this age group the opportunity to compete against their peers across their region, complementing events already staged for national teams.

CAF has made the growth of women’s football a key pillar of its development agenda, and this tournament provides young players with a platform to showcase their skills and gain vital experience.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Third-Place Play-Off
Mpopoma Sports Academy 4 (Gwenhamo 2′, Khumalo 36′, 77′, Chamunorwa 85′) Aguila Stars 1 (Chipupula 17′)

Final
Mamelodi Sundowns 5 (Malebana 3’pen, Nxumalo 11’, Mokoena 13’, Tsatsi 18’, Nair 90’) Lishoeshoe 0

TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
Matches Played: 16
Goals Scored: 118
Biggest Win: Otjiwarongo Sports Academy 0 Mamelodi Sundowns 16 (Group A, December 11)
Most goals in a game: 17 – Luwinga Academy 16 Otjiwarongo Sports Academy 1 (Group A, December 14)

GOALSCORERS
8 goals – Tamandani Chilimba (Luwinga Academy), Nancy Lebang (Okakarara Golden Ladies)
7 – Chiedza Khumalo (Mpopoma Sports Academy)
6 – Sandra Mugwara (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lesego Tsatsi (Mamelodi Sundowns)
5 – Pretty Modika (Refilwe FC)
4 – Luyando Banda (Aguila Stars), Katleho Malebana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Nsovo Nxumalo (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rauna Uugulu (Okakarara Golden Ladies)
3 – Shantel Gwenhamo (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Mampona Lekenyane (Lishoeshoe), Angeleque Mohatle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Chisomo Mtelera (Luwinga Academy), Serah Musonda (Aguila Stars), Alinafe Nyirenda (Luwinga Academy), Princess Shongwe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rejoice Silungwe (Luwinga Academy)
2 – Rejoice Chamunorwa (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Alicia Chinyoka (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Beatrice Chipupula (Aguila Stars), Renalda Hangula (Okakarara Golden Ladies), Miriam Michael (Okakarara Golden Ladies), Boiketlo Molise (Lishoeshoe), Lady !Naibas (Otjiwarongo Sports Academy), Ntsamaeng Tholo (Lishoeshoe)
1 – Linamandla Bahlehle (Refilwe FC), Tatenda Gambiza (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Gudness Garises (Okakarara Golden Ladies), Mercy Gondwe (Luwinga Academy), Talandira Kachala (Luwinga Academy), Hamida Lifa (Luwinga Academy), Mbali Madondo (Refilwe FC), Boitumelo Manaka (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thando Mndaweni (Refilwe FC), Busisiwe Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Naleli Morie (Lishoeshoe), Ntokozo Mpofu (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Anashe Mudzingwa (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Cecilia Mzima (Luwinga Academy), Ronisha Nair (Mamelodi Sundowns), Beauty Namukonda (Aguila Stars), Lyndah Rakabopa (Mpopoma Sports Academy), Lerato Sethubatha (Lishoeshoe), Nteboheleng Sooane (Lishoeshoe)
Own goal – Emily Dube (Okakarara Golden Ladies), Makgatla Ramahla (Refilwe FC)