The Brave Gladiators have advanced to the semi-finals of the 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship not by kicking a ball themselves, but by virtue of Mozambique's 2-0 victory over Madagascar in the final Group C match in Polokwane, South Africa.

Namibia's qualification story began with a strong 2-0 victory over Mozambique in their opening Group C encounter, a result that gave them three valuable points and early control of the group.

However, a narrow 1-0 defeat to Madagascar in their second match left their progression hanging in the balance.

That result meant Madagascar needed only a draw in their final fixture against Mozambique to qualify as group winners, putting Namibia's semi-final hopes at serious risk.

Heading into the decisive clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, the permutations were clear.

Madagascar needed a point to advance.

Mozambique, having already conceded twice to Namibia earlier in the group, required a significant win to overturn their inferior goal difference.

Mozambique struck first from the penalty spot through Amelia Banze after the half-hour mark and added a second late in the match through Cina Manuel.

Crucially, however, they could not find the third goal that would have dramatically shifted the standings.

The 2-0 result left all three Group C teams level on three points after two matches.

Namibia advanced with a superior goal difference of plus one, compared to Mozambique's zero and Madagascar's minus one.