Zambian Champions, ZESCO Ndola Girls suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of two time champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers.
Boitumelo Rabale’s 18th minute goal was the difference as Sundowns made it two wins from two games.
Buffaloes went into the game looking to avoid defeat and push for a positive result with top spot in group A in sight.
Sundowns settled faster than ZESCO Ndola Girls and looked to dominate from the onset and their pressure paid off as Lesotho international Boitumelo Rabale turned and fired into the back of the net from the edge of the box 19 minutes into the match.
Sundowns started pushing for a second goal but Hazel Nali was solid in the ZESCO Ndola Girls goal making three fantastic saves before halftime.
In the second half, Sundowns thought they had doubled their lead eight minutes after the hour mark but Ronnel Donnelly’s goal was ruled out for offside with VAR also confirming the same.
Sundowns held on to win the match, 1-0. The win means Sundowns now have six points from two games and can make sure of a semifinal place with a draw in their final pool game against Beauties FC on Tuesday.
Zegalicious Girls on the other hand will shift their attention to their match with Ntopwa FC of Malawi with the best second placed slot still in sight for them to reach the last four.
Earlier in the day Beauties FC defeated Ntopwa FC 3-0 to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
After a goalless first half, Beauties FC produced a strong display after the break as they ran out 3-0 winners over Ntopwa FC.
The star of the show was Millicent Hikuam, who gave her side the lead on 48 minutes with a superb curling free-kick from 25 yards that had the beating of the goalkeeper.
Her second followed a fine flowing move from their own half as Beauties broke down the left-hand side and Hikuam collected the ball in the box, before firing again past the keeper.
That was the way it stayed until the 87th minute when a free-kick was floated into the penalty-area and Twelikondjele Amukoto glanced her header into the net.
The action continues on Monday with the second round of fixtures in Groups B and C.
