Africa: Zesco, Sundowns to Meet in CAF Women's Champions League Cosafa Qualifier Final

Africa: Zesco, Sundowns to Meet in CAF Women's Champions League Cosafa Qualifier Final

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 : Zesco Girls To Face Sundowns In COSAFA Final ‎

ZESCO Ndola Girls will face two-time African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026 final after a blockbuster semi-final day in Gaborone. ‎ ‎Sundowns booked their spot with a dominant 5-0 thrashing of defending champions Gaborone United on Thursday. ‎ ‎Earlier, ZESCO edged Silver Strikers of Malawi 2-1 to […]

EN, FR, PR: ZESCO Ndola Girls, Mamelodi Sundowns to meet in COSAFA Qualifier final

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 0SATURDAY’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)   TOURNAMENT STATS Matches Played: 14 Goals scored: 52 Biggest victory: Mamelodi Sundowns 8 Nsingizini Hotspurs 0 (Group B, August 21) Most goals in a game: 8 – Mamelodi Sundowns 8 Nsingizini Hotspurs 0 (Group B, August 21)   GOALSCORERS 5 goals – Refilwe Tholakele (Mamelodi Sundowns) 4 – Lucia Moçambique (Costa do Sol), Carolyne Mathyola (Silver Strikers), Charity Mubanga (ZESCO Ndola Girls) 3 – Lelona Daweti (Mamelodi Sundowns), Isabella Ludwig (Mamelodi Sundowns), Eneless Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls) 2 – Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lucia Gaonwe (Nsingizini Hotspurs), Grace Kakangula (Silver Strikers), Penelope Mulubwa (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Wendy Shongwe (Mamelodi Sundowns) 1 – Gladys Banda (Silver Strikers), Natasha Benza (Herentals Queens), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Ronnel Donnelly (Mamelodi Sundowns), Nadia Farranguana (Costa do Sol), Catherine Gwangwara (Herentals Queens), Asanda Hadebe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Melinda Kgadiete (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers), Nonhlanhla Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sandra Mugwara (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dee Mapuwa (Herentals Queens), Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (Gaborone United Ladies), Tlamelo Pheresi (Lesotho Defence Force), Lesego Radiakanyo (Gaborone United Ladies), Goitsemang Tlamma (Gaborone United Ladies)Affiche de rêve pour la finale entre ZESCO Ndola Girls et Mamelodi Sundowns ZESCO Ndola Girls et Mamelodi Sundowns s'affronteront en finale de la CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier ce samedi, après avoir brillamment validé leur ticket jeudi lors de demi-finales aux scénarios diamétralement opposés. Dans le premier choc, les Zambiennes de ZESCO Ndola Girls ont fait preuve d’un réalisme impressionnant pour écarter les Malawites de Silver Strikers sur le score de 2 buts à 1. Penelope Mulubwa a rapidement ouvert le score à la 11e minute, imitée sept minutes plus tard par l'incontournable Charity Mubanga (18e). Malgré la réduction du score de Carolyne Mathyola à la 63e minute pour Silver Strikers, l'arrière-garde zambienne a tenu bon pour s'offrir une place historique au sommet. De leur côté, les Sud-Africaines de Mamelodi Sundowns ont envoyé un message fort à la concurrence en écrasant les Botswanaises de Gaborone United 5 buts à 0. Refilwe Tholakele a débloqué la situation à la 20e minute avant de s'offrir un doublé à la 66e. Entre-temps, N. Mthandi a enfoncé le clou dans le temps additionnel de la première période (45+1'). En fin de match, Isabella Ludwig (76e) et Wendy Shongwe (90+3') ont parachevé ce festival offensif. Ce jeudi de gala a également figé les forces en présence au classement des buteuses. L'attaquante des Sundowns, Refilwe Tholakele, trône désormais seule en tête avec 5 réalisations. Elle reste talonnée par un trio de poursuivantes à 4 buts composé de Lucia Moçambique, Charity Mubanga et Carolyne Mathyola, tandis que Lelona Daweti, Eneless Phiri et Isabella Ludwig restent en embuscade avec 3 unités. Ce samedi s'annonce électrique avec deux affiches de très haut niveau. À 15h, la petite finale pour la 3e place opposera Silver Strikers à Gaborone United, un duel de revanchardes où Mathyola tentera de guider le Malawi vers la médaille de bronze face au collectif botswanais. Enfin, à 18h, la grande finale mettra aux prises ZESCO Ndola Girls et Mamelodi Sundowns. Les Zambiennes devront dresser un mur défensif infranchissable pour contenir l'armada sud-africaine, immense favorite à sa propre succession dans cette finale royale de la zone COSAFA.   ZESCO e Sundowns confirmam favoritismo e marcam encontro na final A grande final da quinta edição das Eliminatórias Regionais da COSAFA para a Liga dos Campeões Feminina da CAF está definida. No sábado, dia 29 de Agosto, o ZESCO NdolaGirls defronta o Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies às 18h00, no GU Stadium, num duelo que coloca frente a frente as duas equipas que venceram os seus grupos com pleno de vitórias. Antes, às 15h00, Silver Strikers e Gaborone United disputam o terceiro lugar num encontro que serve de consolação para duas formações que sonhavam com o título. A primeira meia-final, disputada às 16h00, confirmou a solidez do ZESCO Ndola Girls. Frente ao estreante Silver Strikers, as zambianas impuseram o seu ritmo desde cedo. Aos 11 minutos, a capitã Avell Chitundu conduziu a bola pela asa esquerda até à linha de fundo e, num toque preciso, assistiu Penelope Mulubwa para o 1-0. Seis minutos depois, CharityMubanga ampliou, aproveitando um contra-ataque pelo corredor central assistida por EnelessPhiri. Ao intervalo, o ZESCO já tinha a eliminatória praticamente encaminhada. Na segunda parte, o Silver Strikers acreditou e reduziu aos 61, num lance em que Ireen Khumalo roubou a bola, combinou com Yamikani Mhango, e Carolyne Mathyola aproveitou o ressalto para marcar. Foi, contudo, tarde demais. Jackline Chomba foi eleita melhor em campo numa exibição que carimbou o regresso do ZESCO à final, três anos depois de terem perdido o título nos penáltis para o próprio Gaborone United. No segundo encontro, o Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies não deram hipóteses ao campeão em título. Aos 20 minutos, Karabo Dhlamini roubou uma bola no meio-campo e lançou ReflilweTholakele, que de cabeça abriu o marcador. Ainda na primeira parte, Nonhlanhla Mthandifixou o 2-0 no tempo de desconto. Na etapa complementar, a pressão sul-africana não abrandou. Aos 67, Tholakele bisou, castigando uma desatenção de Mochawe na grande área. Aos 77, Isabella Ludwig, que já soma três golos no torneio, dilatou para 4-0 e, WendyShongwe saltou do banco para fechar as contas 5-0 (90´+3´). Uma exibição de autoridade das bicampeãs, com Tholakele a ser eleita melhor em campo. O percurso das finalistas traduz a consistência de ambas ao longo do torneio. O ZESCO Ndola Girls chega à decisão com cinco vitórias em cinco jogos: três na fase de grupos, com oito golos marcados e apenas dois sofridos, e mais duas nas meias-finais. As zambianas, finalistas em 2025, buscam o primeiro título regional para selar a passagem à fase final da CAF. Do outro lado, o Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, bicampeãs em 2021 e 2023 e finalistas em 2022 e 2024, somam também cinco vitórias consecutivas, com dezanove golos apontados e apenas um sofrido. A equipa de Jerry Tshabalala é, indiscutivelmente, a grande favorita ao troféu. No jogo de consolação, o Silver Strikers tentará fechar a participação histórica com um pódio, enquanto o Gaborone United, anfitrião e detentor do título, luta para não despedir-se de mãos a abanar. Segundo o regulamento, a final terá prolongamento em caso de empate ao final dos noventa minutos, indo-se a grandes penalidades se persistir a igualdade. Já o jogo pelo terceiro lugar, tal como as meias-finais, não contempla tempo extra, passando-se directamente para a decisão por penáltis. O torneio prossegue com transmissão em directo na plataforma FIFA+ e no canal de YouTube da COSAFA, para uma audiência global.

Downs Ladies Into Womens CL COSAFA Qualifiers Final

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