Silver Strikers Ladies will battle for a bronze medal against hosts Gaborone United Ladies at the 2026 Caf Women’s Champions League/Cosafa qualifiers at Gaborone United Stadium this afternoon.
The two sides are meeting this afternoon after suffering defeats in their respective semifinals on Thursday.
Silver lost 2-1 to Zesco Ndola Girls whereas Gaborone were swept aside by Mamelodi Sundowns 5-0 at the same venue.
For Silver winning bronze will be a great achievement in their maiden appearance at the Caf Women’s Champions League/Cosafa Qualifiers but for Gaborone, it will be a face-saver after winning last year’s edition.
Both Silver and Gaborone impressed during the tournament despite their semifinals defeats.
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Surely, both teams intend to finish the tournament on a high in this afternoon’s match.
Silver coach Patricio Kulemeka said winning bronze would be a great achievement for his side.
“We are now focusing on the bronze medal. There is renewed hope in our camp and we believe we can do it,” Kulemeka said.
Despite failing to win gold, Kulemeka said there were several positives from the competition.
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“We have learnt a lot from the tournament. When we come back next year, we will be a changed side and we will challenge for the gold medal,” Kulemeka said.
Kulemeka will likely maintain the side that lost to Ndola Girls this afternoon.
Goalkeeper Ireen Sibande will likely keep her place, despite failing to keep a clean sheet in four matches, having conceded seven goals in four matches.
Captain Ruth Nyirongo, Chikondi Dube, Madyina Ngulube, Ireen Khumalo, Chikondi Gondwe and Carolyn Mathyola, who has scored four goals at the tournament, are also likely to keep their places.
During the tournament, Silver defeated Costa Do Sol from Mozambique 2-1 before a 3-0 loss to Sundowns.
They thrashed Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini 5-1 in their final Group B match.
Meanwhile, Sundowns Ladies will face Ndola Girls in the Cosafa final later today.
The winner between Sundowns Ladies and Ndola Girls will qualify for Caf Women’s Champions League finals.
