Hosts South Africa started off their COSAFA Women's Championship title defence with a hard-fought victory over Madagascar yesterday.

 South Africa took a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes through Khanyi Xesi and Nothando Vilakazi's goals before Sarah Rasoanandrasana halved the score from the penalty spot.

The South Africans were, however, reduced to 10-man following the dismissal of Thato Letsoso for a second bookable offence, but they held their nerves to claiming the vital win.

In other matches, East African guest country Uganda survived a late scare from Swaziland in an encounter that produced seven goals.

Hasifa Nassuna, Alupo Norah and Resty Nanziri had scored to give the Crested Cranes of Uganda a 3-0 lead at half time, and it looked as though they were cruising to victory.

But Swaziland staged a comeback fight after the break and found the net twice through Tenanile Mgcamphalala and Celiwe Nkambule to put the score at 3-2.

Their hopes for a meaningful result was dashed when Nassuna bagged her brace of the day, although, Swaziland still managed to pull one back in the closing minutes as the tie finished 4-3 in Uganda's favour.

While Botswana earned an important win for themselves by defeating Malawi 2-0, with captain Lesego Keleboge and Lesego Radiakanyo providing the goals on the 3rd and 77th minutes.

Action continues on Thursday when Central African invited guests Cameroon confront Mozambique, Zimbabwe takes on Namibia and Zambia square off against Lesotho.