ZESCO Ndola Girls will have an early opportunity to avenge last year’s heartbreaking final defeat after being drawn against defending champions Gaborone United Ladies in Group A of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier.
The draw, conducted in Gaborone on Tuesday, has paired the Zambian champions with tournament hosts Gaborone United, Zimbabwe’s Herentals Queens and Lesotho Defence Force in what is widely regarded as one of the toughest groups of the regional competition, which runs from August 20 to 29 in Botswana.
The meeting with Gaborone United rekindles memories of last year’s dramatic final, where the Botswana side denied ZESCO qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals by winning a penalty shootout after a fiercely contested encounter.
With only the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals, every match will carry significant importance as the Ndola-based side targets a maiden appearance at Africa’s premier women’s club competition.
ZESCO head into the tournament encouraged by thorough preparations that have taken them beyond Zambia’s borders. The “Zegalicious” side are currently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where they are holding an intensive pre-season training camp.
After beginning the camp with recovery sessions and team-building activities, coach and players shifted their focus to high-intensity training and competitive fixtures. Their preparations have already produced positive signs after a convincing 3-0 victory over Tanzanian giants JKT Queens, with Judith Soko, Abigail Munkombwe and Charity Mubanga all finding the net. Another stern examination awaits against Simba Queens before the team travels to Botswana.
The East African camp follows an encouraging domestic pre-season programme that included a four-team tournament in Mongu against Sepo Queens, Hope Queens and a Mongu Select side, giving the squad valuable match fitness ahead of another continental campaign.
There is renewed belief within the squad following last season’s impressive debut in the competition. Having come within a penalty shootout of qualification for the continental finals, ZESCO return wiser, more experienced and determined to go one step further.
The Zambian champions will, however, begin the campaign without several key figures who remain on international duty. Captain Avell Chitundu, prolific striker Enelesi Phiri and first-choice goalkeeper Hazel Natasha Nali are all part of the Copper Queens squad competing at the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Elsewhere, Group B features South African giants and two-time champions Mamelodi Sundowns alongside Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs, Mozambique’s Costa do Sol and Malawi’s Silver Strikers.
The winner of the tournament will earn Southern Africa’s place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals later this year.
