ZESCO Ndola Girls made a flying start to their CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026 campaign with a convincing 5-2 victory over Zimbabwean champions Herentals Queens on Thursday.
The Zambian side, last year’s runners-up, produced an impressive attacking display at the Gaborone United Stadium to underline their ambitions of returning to the continental finals.
Enelessi Phiri opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the sixth minute before Charity Mubanga doubled the advantage four minutes later.
Mubanga struck again in the 22nd minute to give ZESCO a commanding 3-0 lead, although Herentals responded through Natasha Benza just before half-time.
Phiri restored ZESCO’s three-goal cushion six minutes after the restart, finishing from a tight angle to complete her brace.
Mila Milambo then added a fifth in the 67th minute as the Zambian side continued to dominate.
Herentals had the final say when Catherine Gwangwara pulled another goal back nine minutes from time, but ZESCO held on comfortably to secure all three points.
The victory also gave new head coach Florence Mwila a winning start in her first competitive match in charge of the Zegalicious Girls.
ZESCO’s result puts them in a strong position in Group A alongside defending champions Gaborone United Ladies, who edged Lesotho Defence Force 2-1 in Thursday’s other match.
Gaborone United came from behind to win through goals from Lesego Radiakanyo and Goitsemang Tlamma after Reitumetse Namane had given Lesotho Defence Force an early lead.
The COSAFA qualifier winners will secure a place at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals later this year.
All matches are being streamed live on FIFA+ and the COSAFA YouTube channel.
Thursday’s results – Group A
ZESCO Ndola Girls 5-2 Herentals Queens
Phiri 6′ (pen), 51′, Mubanga 10′, 22′, Milambo 67′
Benza 43′, Gwangwara 81′
Gaborone United Ladies 2-1 Lesotho Defence Force
Radiakanyo 54′, Tlamma 88′ — Namane 15′
