2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
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. 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.
| 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 |
Malawi were crowned 2023 champions 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. Mozambique claimed their first medal at the COSAFA Women's Championship. 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. 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. 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.