There have been four previous editions of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers but already there is a long list of players who have enhanced their reputations through the regional tournament. As we prepare for the fifth installment to be staged in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 22-31, we pick 10 players who have left their mark in the competition.
HELLEN CHANDA (GREEN BUFFALOES)
Chanda was a driving force behind Green Buffaloes’ success in 2022 with some powerful displays in midfield and a goal in their opening match against Young Buffaloes from Eswatini. She has been a hugely consistent player for the side for several years and was rewarded with a place in Zambia’s squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where she started the 3-1 win over Costa Rica.
KEITUMETSE DITHEBE (GABORONE UNITED)
Dithebe was the Player of the Tournament at the 2024 regional finals in Malawi as she helped Gaborone United to the final, where they lost a thrilling penalty shoot- out 9-8 to the University of the Western Cape. But she was outstanding throughout as a creative midfield player and has since joined Turkish side Ankara BB Fomget. She is also a star with the Botswana national side.
ANDILE DLAMINI (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS)
The goalkeeper has been a central figure in Sundowns reaching three finals in succession and won the Golden Glove as they romped to the title in 2023 to add to her collection of major prizes. She is as steady as they come between the sticks and played a huge role in The Brazilians’ two continental titles in three years as well. Dlamini is certainly one of the best goalkeepers South Africa has produced.
MELINDA KGADIETE (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS)
Kgadiete is the leading scorer in the history of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers with eight goals spread over the three tournaments played to date. She scored five times as Sundowns romped to the title in 2021, earning her the Golden Boot, and then added another three goals in 2022 when they were edged on penalties in the final by Green Buffaloes.
IREEN LUNGU (GREEN BUFFALOES)
Lunga was the Golden Boot winner in 2022 as Green Buffaloes lifted the trophy with a shoot-out win over Sundowns in the final. She was superb all tournament, netting twice against Young Buffaloes and then following that up with a hattrick versus Comoros side Olympic de Moroni. Her five goals were the most in the competition. She moved to Kazakhstan side BIIK Kazygurt in 2024. She is also an important player for the Copper Queens and started their 2023 Women’s World Cup matches against Spain and Japan.
RUTENDO MAKORE (BLACK RHINOS QUEENS)
Black Rhinos Queens did not win the competition in 2021, but forward Makore was named Player of the Tournament nonetheless for her excellent all-round displays that earned her club their final spot. She netted a brace against TURA Magic (who this year return as FC Ongos) but was also a creator for others and a constant thorn in the side of opponents. Now with veteran status, she featured for Zimbabwe at the 2016 Olympic Games and is one of the finest players her country has produced.
AISHA MBWANA (GREEN BUFFALOES)
Goalkeeper Mbwana was a major factor in Green Buffaloes lifting the trophy in 2022 as she made several stunning saves through the tournament and then helped the team to a shoot-out win in the final against Sundowns. She did enough to claim the Golden Glove prize and represented her club well in the continental finals that were played in Morocco.
BAMBANANI MBANE (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS)
The centre-back has been a key player for club and country for several years and is arguably among the best defenders on the African continent. She has helped Sundowns to three finals in succession in the tournament, during which time they have only conceded four goals in 13 games. She is also a power at the back for South Africa and was one of their stars at the 2023 Women’s World Cup Down Under.
PRECIOUS MUDYIWA (BLACK RHINOS QUEENS)
Mudyiwa was the outstanding goalkeeper in the 2021 tournament and took home the Golden Glove as she helped Black Rhinos Queens into the final. She could not see them over the line against Sundowns, but was rock solid to that point, having not conceded in the previous 270 minutes of football. Her exploits wrote her name into the history books.
LESEGO RADIAKANYO (DOUBLE ACTION LADIES)
Radiakanyo is a star with the Botswana national team, but also helped Double Action Ladies to back-to-back top four finishes in the first two CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers, and then the final in 2023. Her exploits that year won her the Player of the Tournament prize. She is a creative player with an eye for goal herself, as she displayed in the 6-0 victory over Lesotho Defence Force in 2021, when she netted a brace. She managed three goals in all in that competition.
