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ZESCO Ndola Girls and Mamelodi Sundowns Set for COSAFA CAFWCL Final Showdown

The stage is set for a blockbuster finale in Gaborone as ZESCO Ndola Girls and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies go head-to-head in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026 on Saturday.


The two Southern African giants will battle for the region’s coveted ticket to the CAF Women’s Champions League finals, with the winner securing COSAFA’s sole place at the continental tournament later this year.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 CAT at the Gaborone United Stadium, with both sides arriving in the final having enjoyed perfect campaigns. ZESCO and Sundowns have each won all five of their matches in the competition, setting up a final between two sides that have shown consistency, attacking quality and defensive resilience.

Sundowns chasing redemption

For Mamelodi Sundowns, this final carries an added layer of motivation. The South African champions were eliminated by ZESCO Ndola Girls at the semi-final stage last year, with the Zambian side winning 2-1 before eventually falling to Gaborone United in the final on penalties. That defeat remains Sundowns’ only loss in regular time at the regional finals since their debut in 2021.

The Brazilians have responded emphatically this year. Sundowns topped Group B with a perfect record and produced one of the biggest performances of the tournament with an 8-0 victory over Nsingizini Hotspurs. They followed that up with a devastating 5-0 semi-final victory over defending champions Gaborone United.

Refilwe Tholakele has been central to their attacking threat. The Botswana international scored twice against Gaborone United to take her tournament tally to five goals, making her the leading scorer heading into the final. Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Isabella Ludwig and Wendy Shongwe were also on target in the semi-final. Sundowns have now scored 19 goals while conceding just once across their five matches, underlining their dominance throughout the tournament.

ZESCO looking to complete the journey

Standing in their way is a ZESCO Ndola Girls side determined to turn last year’s disappointment into championship glory. The Zambians have once again reached the final after overcoming Silver Strikers 2-1 in their semi-final. Penelope Mulubwa and Charity Mubanga gave ZESCO a 2-0 advantage before Silver Strikers pulled one back, but ZESCO held firm under late pressure to book their place in the decider.

ZESCO enter the final as last year’s runners-up, meaning Saturday provides another opportunity to finally lift the regional crown and secure their place among Africa’s elite. Their route to the final has been built on consistency, with the Zambian champions winning all five matches they have played in Botswana.

While Sundowns will be seeking revenge for last year’s semi-final defeat, ZESCO will take confidence from knowing they have already overcome the South African giants on this stage. That history adds another fascinating dimension to what is already a heavyweight encounter.

Sundowns possess the tournament’s strongest attack and arrive fresh from a five-goal demolition of the defending champions. ZESCO, meanwhile, have demonstrated their ability to compete in tight matches and remain composed when under pressure.

The key battle could therefore come down to whether ZESCO can contain Sundowns’ attacking firepower while exploiting opportunities on the counter, or whether the Brazilians can impose the same dominance they have shown throughout the tournament.

For Sundowns, victory would underline their status as one of the continent’s dominant forces and provide redemption after last year’s early exit.

For ZESCO, it would finally turn another impressive campaign into silverware and earn them a place at the CAF Women’s Champions League final

Kick-off: 18:00 CAT

Venue: Gaborone United Stadium, Botswana

Writer: Jabulile Mabena

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