Ascent Soccer Academy have vowed to bounce back from defeat to secure a place in the semifinals of this year’s Caf Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifiers.
Straight from the 0-1 Group B loss to Mozambique’s UD Lichinga, Ascent will this afternoon date Gaborone United of Botswana in a must-win match at Mpira Stadium, Chiwembe Township, in Blantyre.
Ascent Coach Thom Mkolongo said they would be a better side when facing Gaborone to repay patriotic fans who have been supporting the side throughout the tournament.
“We will come back strong in the next match. We will make it. We will qualify for the semi-finals, believe me,” he said.
- Advertisement -
The hosts have the likes of Faith Chinzimu, Alefa Chimbeta, Maggie Chavula and captain Mirriam Mnenula who can lift the morale of the team when the chips are down.
- Advertisement -
However, Mkolongo said he was also cautious to avoid piling unnecessary pressure on the youthful squad.
“The average age for our squad is 18 years and if we put too much pressure on them, they will not perform to their best potential,” Mkolongo said as he also promised to work on the team’s finishing.
On the log table, Ascent are second with three points, having beaten Young Buffaloes of eSwatini 2-1 in their opener on Friday.
They trail leaders Lichinga by a point.
- Advertisement -
Buffaloes are third while Gaborone anchor the table.
In another Group B match, Lichinga will face Buffaloes.
Group A comprises Zimbabwe’s Herentals, South Africa’s University of Western Cape, Green Buffaloes Women from Zambia and Ongos FC from Namibia.
Top-two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals slated for Thursday.
Winners of the tournament, whose final is on Saturday, will qualify for the continental finals.
