By Praise Majawa:
Silver Strikers Ladies need victory over Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies later today to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Caf Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifier at Gaborone Stadium in Botswana.
The Malawian debutants are second in Group B with three points, while Eswatini side Nsingizini are bottom without a point.
Group leaders Mamelodi Sundowns Women of South Africa, who have six points, face Mozambique’s Costa do Sol in the other group match later today.
Costa do Sol are also on three points but occupy third position after losing 2-1 to Silver in their opening match.
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The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the eventual champions becoming Cosafa’s sole qualifier for the Caf Women’s Champions League continental finals later this year.
Silver go into today’s encounter after suffering a 3-0 defeat to two-time champions Sundowns on Sunday. In the other group match, Costa do Sol beat Nsingizini 3-1.
Sundowns won the Cosafa title in 2021 and 2023 and are also two-time Caf Women’s Champions League winners.
Nsingizini suffered an 8-0 defeat to Sundowns in their opening match.
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The Central Bankers coach Patricio Kulemeka remains confident that his side can progress to the final stages of the competition.
“I believe we will reach the final stages of this competition. The Sundowns game gave us a lot of lessons as a team ahead of our next fixture. The team will do well, I believe,” Kulemeka said.
Silver are representing Malawi after winning the inaugural National Bank of Malawi Women’s Premiership, recording 16 victories from 18 matches.
Costa do Sol are seasoned campaigners at the regional tournament.
They finished third in 2023 and reached the semi-finals in 2025, where they lost to eventual champions Gaborone United.
Nsingizini coach Mpendulo Mawelela said his side must improve their finishing after creating chances in their previous matches.
“We are still learning and at this tournament we are getting better, always in the second half. We are creating chances but we are failing to score goals,” he said.
Nsingizini qualified for the regional tournament after ending Young Buffaloes’ long dominance of the Eswatini Women’s Football League, earning their first appearance at the Cosafa qualifier.
Group A comprises defending champions Gaborone United Ladies, last year’s runners-up Zesco Ndola Girls of Zambia, Zimbabwe’s Herentals Queens and Lesotho Defence Force.
