The semifinal line-up is set at the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers 2023 after the final round of pool matches were played in Durban on Monday, with both former champions making the Last 4.
Group A winners Double Action Ladies of Botswana will face Costa do Sol of Mozambique in the first semifinal on Wednesday (kick-off 12h00 CAT), while Mamelodi Sundowns take on Green Buffaloes in the second game at 15h30 CAT.
That match-up is a repeat of the 2022 final that was edged by the Zambians.
Sundowns were the inaugural winners of the competition in 2021.
Green Buffaloes remained on course to defend their title with a 2-1 win with Lesotho Defence Force in their last Group A match.
They came into the match needing a point to make the knockout phase, while the Defence Force needed a convincing victory to stand a chance.
Carol Kanyemba’s charges were the dominant of the two in the decider and were rewarded early in the first half when Comfort Selemani’s attempt was deflected by Ntsatsi Khakanyo, who scored an own goal, the first of this year’s competition.
Khakanyo redeemed herself later in the half as her set-piece was instrumental in the Defence Force equaliser also through a deflected own goal by Memory Nthala. With the Lesotho champions looking like they may get away with a point Esther Banda stole the headlines in the last 10 minutes of the match with the winner for the Buffaloes.
Double Action Ladies from Botswana made sure of their qualification and top place in the group with a 4-0 victory over Malawian debutants Ntopwa FC.
Lesego Radiakanyo took her goals tally in the competition to three with a brace, while Oteng Bonang and Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse were also on target for Double Action.
The results mean Buffaloes finished second in the group, equal on seven points with Double Action but behind on goal-difference.
Zanele Nhlapo converted a first half penalty while Miche Minnies also netted and Andisiwe Mgcoyi got a brace as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Costa Do Sol 4-0 to finish top of Group B with a full haul of nine points.
The pair came into the match already qualified for the semifinals having bagged maximum points from their first two group matches, with just top spot to be decided.
In the other match in the pool, Young Buffaloes and Olympic de Moroni played to a 3-3 draw in an entertaining dead rubber that saw both go home with a point.
