Last year’s runners-up ZESCO Ndola Girls will face two-time African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026 on Saturday after both came through tough semi-final clashes.
Zambia’s ZESCO edged Silver Strikers of Malawi 2-1 in the first of Thursday’s semi-
finals, before Sundowns saw off defending champions Gaborone United with a
comprehensive 5-0 win.
ZESCO knocked Sundowns out at the semi-final stage of last year’s competition,
which remains the only time the South African side have lost in ordinary time at the
regional finals since making their debut in 2021.
The decider will kick off at 18h00 CAT (16h00 GMT), with the winner booking their
place at the continental finals later in the year.
Silver Strikers and Gaborone United meet in the third-place play-off at 15h00 CAT
(13h00 GMT) as they battle for bronze.
Saturday’s clashes will be streamed live on FIFA+ and COSAFA’s YouTube Channel to
a global audience.
ZESCO booked their place in the final after goals from Penelope Mulubwa and Charity
Mubanga gave them a 2-0 lead.
Silver Strikers pulled one back when Eneless Phiri’s clearance struck Mathyola and
deflected into the net, setting up a tense finish.The Malawians could not find an equaliser, though, and ZESCO held on for the win.
There was a vociferous home crowd in attendance at Gaborone United Stadium for
the second semi-final, but the hosts could not make it a hat-trick of final appearances
in as many years.
Sundowns took the lead after 21 minutes, with the goal scored, ironically, by
Botswana international Tholakele, who headed home unmarked at the back post.
It was 2-0 just before halftime as Nonhlanhla Mthandi controlled the ball 15 yards
from goal and was able to pick her spot, curling it into the corner.
Sundowns made sure of the win on 67 minutes as a mistake at the back allowed
Tholakele to pick up possession and fire past the goalkeeper.
That goal was her fifth of the campaign, taking her clear at the top of the Golden
Boot race. It was also the 50th goal of the tournament in Gaborone.
There was still time for two more as Isabella Ludwig netted her third of the
competition after latching onto a loose ball in the box, before Wendy Shongwe
added a fifth in stoppage time.
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Semi-Finals
ZESCO Ndola Girls 2 (Mulubwa 11′, Mubanga 17′) Silver Strikers 1 (Mathyola 63′)
Mamelodi Sundowns 5 (Tholakele 21’, 67’, Mthandi 45’, Ludwig 77’, Shongwe 90’)
Gaborone United 0
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES (both Gaborone United Stadium)
Third-Place Play-Off
Silver Strikers vs Gaborone United (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Final
ZESCO Ndola Girls vs Mamelodi Sundowns (KO 18h00; 16h00 GMT)
