Debutants ZESCO Ndola Girls Stun Mamelodi Sundowns To Reach CAFWCL COSAFA Qualifiers Final
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
Debutants ZESCO Ndola Girls pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over fancied Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in South Africa on Friday, crushing the hosts’ dream of qualification for the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League (CAFWCL) from the COSAFA region.
The semifinal victory at AW Muller Stadium in Johannesburg saw ZESCO booking a date with Gaborone United Ladies in the final of the COSAFA Qualifiers on Sunday.
The Zambian champions had gone into the semifinal aware of the danger posed by the Pretoria-based opponents, having lost 1-0 in a Group A match.
Sundowns took the lead in the 45th minute when striker Boitumelo Rabale put them in front, carrying a slender 1-0 lead into recess.
However, ZESCO emerged from the dressing room visibly fired up and determined to salvage something from a dressing room visibly fired up and determined.
Enelles Phiri levelled matters, deflating Sundowns, who had all the chances to kill off the contest in the opening half. Frida Kabwe finally put the Zambians ahead, and they held firm to their lead until the final whistle.
ZESCO will face Gaborone United Ladies in the final of the COSAFA Qualifiers on Sunday.
Gaborone United defeated Mozambique’s Costa do Sol 3-1 in an earlier semifinal kick-off at the same venue. Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse struck in either half, in between Maungo Maponga’s goal, to boot out the Mozambicans who snatched a consolation through Samira Latifo.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
