ZESCO Ndola Girls will have to beat arguably the best team in Southern Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns for a place in the final at the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers this afternoon.
The Zambian Champions and the South African giants will be meeting for a second time at the tournament having already met four days ago for their second group game.
Sundowns beat Zegalicious Girls 1-0 thanks to a Lesotho International Boitumelo Rabale’s first half strike and now the Zambian Champions have a chance to avenge that loss.
Sundowns qualified top of Group A while ZESCO Ndola Girls finished as the best second placed team ahead of Young Buffaloes and Herentals Queens.
Coach William Zulu says the loss is water under the bridge and his side are focused on the semifinal as they want to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League Tournament proper.
“It’s a great honor to be in the semifinals because that was our dream. We want to go to the CAF Women’s Champions League ( Tournament proper). God has answered our players, because as ZESCO Ndola Girls we always put God first so it’s a great honor for us. We just have to go flat out and work,” he said.
“Yes we played them before losing 1-0, Now that is water under the bridge. This is a different game, we are going to approach it differently, Now it’s up to us to go and finish it, it will be a do or die encounter. We just have to go flat out and work, win the game , go to the final, win the final and go to the CAF Women’s Champions League (Tournament proper),” he added.
Sundowns have never lost a game in this competition outright hence ZESCO Ndola Girls will have to do something that has not been done before, their only loss came on post match penalties against Green Buffaloes back in 2022.
Hazel Nali is expected to continue between the sticks with Mable Bwalya, Judith Soko, Jackline Chomba and Vast Phiri making up the back four. Theresa Musatila, Esther Muchinga and Melody Kipimpi are also available for selection.
2024/2025 Eden University Women’s Super League top goalscorer and player of the season Penelope Mulubwa is expected to continue leading the attack alongside Thandiwe Ndhlovu and Enelesi ‘Mayuka’ Phiri.
Phiri has been a menace to defenders at the tournament and has already scored one of the best goals so far, her second strike against Ntopwa FC.
Mila Milambo who scored a beauty of a goal against Ntopwa FC to open her ZESCO Ndola Girls goal account and Charity Mubanga are also available for selection.
Dorothy Daka is expected to join Avell Chitundu and Marjory Mulenga in midfield ahead of Elizabeth Mupeso and Abigail Munkombwe.
Sundowns will be led by Botswana international Refilwe Tholakele who has three goals so far in the tournament.
Aside Tholakele, they have other stars like Melinda Kgadiete, who was crowned Best Player of the COSAFA Tournament in 2022 and finished as Top Scorer with five goals in the 2021 edition.
In goal, Andile Dlamini is expected to start with the likes of Banyana Banyana star Bambanani Mbane, Lebohang Ramalepe and Asanda Hadebe in defense.
29 year old Boitumelo Joyce Rabale is expected to start in midfield alongside Kholosa Biyana, Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Noxolo Cesane.
Kick off at the AW Muller Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa is set for 15h00 CAT.
