ZESCO Ndola Girls have reached the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026 after Enelesi Phiri’s goal secured a 1-0 victory over Lesotho Defence Force on Saturday.
Phiri struck on the stroke of half-time, producing a superb run through the LDF defence before calmly finishing to give the Zambian champions a decisive lead.
The goal was Phiri’s third of the tournament, following her brace in ZESCO’s opening 5-2 victory over Zimbabwean side Herentals Queens.
ZESCO were forced to work harder for their second win, with LDF defending resolutely and making life difficult for the Zambian champions.
However, ZESCO showed the composure required to protect their advantage and register a second successive victory, while also keeping their first clean sheet of the campaign.
The result moves ZESCO onto six points from two matches and guarantees their place in the last four.
They currently sit top of Group A on goal difference, ahead of defending champions Gaborone United Ladies, who also have six points.
The two sides will meet on Monday in a decisive final group match that will determine who finishes top of the pool.
ZESCO began their campaign in emphatic fashion, with Phiri and Charity Mubanga scoring twice apiece in the 5-2 win over Herentals, while Penelope Mulubwa also found the net.
Phiri has now emerged as one of the key attacking figures for ZESCO, with three goals in two matches as the Zambian champions continue their pursuit of a first regional title.
Gaborone United also secured their semi-final place with a 1-0 win over Herentals, thanks to Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse’s 18th-minute strike.
Herentals and Lesotho Defence Force are eliminated from semi-final contention but will meet in their final Group A fixture on Monday.
ZESCO’s next challenge will be defending champions Gaborone, with top spot and a potentially favourable semi-final position at stake.
All matches in the tournament are being streamed live on FIFA+ and the COSAFA YouTube Channel.
