ZESCO Ndola Girls open CAFWCL qualifiers with 5-2 win over Herentals Queens
ZESCO Ndola Girls began their campaign for a place at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals with a convincing 5-2 victory over Zimbabwean champions Herentals Queens in Botswana on Thursday.
The Zambian side scored twice inside the opening 10 minutes before taking control of the Group A contest at Gaborone United Stadium. Pan Africa Football reported that Eneless Phiri and Charity Mubanga each scored twice, while Milla Milambo completed the five-goal haul.
Phiri opened the scoring from the penalty spot after five minutes, before Mubanga added a second three minutes later. Mubanga struck again in the 22nd minute to give ZESCO a commanding advantage.
Herentals Queens pulled one back through Natasha Banza before half-time, but ZESCO restored their two-goal cushion shortly after the restart when Phiri completed her brace. Milambo then made it 5-1 before Catherine Gwangwara scored a late second for the Zimbabwean champions.
The result gives ZESCO an early advantage in a group that also contains defending champions Gaborone United Ladies and Lesotho Defence Force. COSAFA confirmed before the tournament that ZESCO were returning as last year’s runners-up after losing the 2025 final to Gaborone United on penalties.
The hosts also had to work for their opening victory. Gaborone United Ladies fell behind to Lesotho Defence Force when Reitumetse Namane capitalised on goalkeeper Tlamelo Pheresi’s hesitation in the 15th minute.
Lesego Radiakanyo brought the defending champions level with a long-range effort before Goitsemang Tlamma scored the late winner, according to Pan Africa Football.
The COSAFA qualifying tournament is being played in Gaborone from August 20 to 29. Eight clubs are competing for the regional qualification place at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals later this year. COSAFA confirmed the tournament format and the Group A line-up before the competition began.
For ZESCO Ndola Girls, the opening win is an early reminder of the quality that took them to last year’s regional final. Their challenge now is to turn that strong start into another deep run and, this time, go one step further.
