Basadi in Action Sports

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies were crowned champions of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier 2026 after defeating Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls 2-1 in a fiercely contested final. The South African champions produced a determined performance to overcome a resilient ZESCO side, securing the regional title and further strengthening their preparations ahead of the CAF Women’s Champions League. For Sundowns coach, Godfrey Sapula, the victory was the result of a performance that demanded more than just quality football, with his side having to dig deep to get over the line. “Mixed emotions, excitement, humility. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Coach Sapula expressed his feelings after the final. “This is a game that we knew from our analysis would take playing beautiful football to win. It would take more fight, more heart, more running, more looking competitive and winning the duels.” Coach Sapula praised his players for their commitment throughout the final, admitting that whil...

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 eve...

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies secured top spot in Group B of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026 after cruising to a 4-1 victory over Mozambique’s Costa do Sol at the Gaborone United Stadium on Tuesday. The Brazilians produced another commanding performance, with Asanda Hadebe, Wendy Shongwe, Ronnel Donnelly and Melinda Kgadiete all finding the back of the net to complete a comfortable victory. The result saw Sundowns finish the group stage at the summit and book a blockbuster semi-final clash against defending champions Gaborone United. Gaborone United also secured their place in the last four after finishing second in Group A, while Malawi’s Silver Strikers advanced in second place from Group B after overcoming Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs. The semi-final line-up sets up two intriguing encounters on Thursday. Zesco Ndola Girls will face Silver Strikers in the first semi-final at 4:00 p.m. CAT (2:00 p.m. GMT), in another battle between Zambia and Malawi on t...

Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls finished top of Group A at the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026 after securing a convincing 2-0 victory over hosts and defending champions Gaborone United at the Gaborone United Stadium on Monday. The win completed a perfect group-stage campaign for last year’s beaten finalists, who collected nine points from three matches. Gaborone United finished second and also secured their place in the semi-finals. ZESCO made the perfect start, taking the lead inside the opening minute. Eneless Phiri delivered a dangerous corner into the box, with Charity Mubanga rising highest to power a header past the Gaborone United defence. The hosts responded with increased pressure as they searched for an equaliser, but ZESCO remained resolute at the back. Their defensive discipline was rewarded late in the match when Avell Chitundu struck with a close-range header to seal all three points for the Zambian side. The defeat marked Gaborone United’s first...

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will begin their CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier campaign against debutants Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini on 21 August, with both sides looking to make an early statement in Group B. @SundownsLadies For Sundowns, the tournament presents another opportunity to return to the continental stage after missing out on the 2025 COSAFA final and subsequently failing to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals. The Brazilians enter the competition as two-time African champions and among the favourites to claim the region’s only qualification spot. Nsingizini, meanwhile, arrive with nothing to lose and plenty to prove. The Eswatini champions are making their first appearance in the regional competition after ending Young Buffaloes Ladies long-standing domestic dominance with a 1-0 victory in the 2025/26 league decider. Sundowns arrive with momentum Sundowns head into the competition with an impressive domestic record. Before the WAFCON break, Co...

At just 21, striker Ronnel Tammlyn Donnelly is learning that even in elite football, challenges can strike when least expected. Shortly after joining Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Donnelly suffered a serious knee injury during the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers against Zesco Ndola Girls of Zambia — a moment that could have shaken even the strongest athletes. Ronnel Donnelly  © Backpagepix “As soon as I heard my knee pop, I knew something was wrong. The pain was overwhelming, and I was filled with frustration and disbelief,” Donnelly recalls. “It was devastating because I had just arrived at the tournament. But I believe everything happens for a reason, and I’ve put my trust in God.” Donnelly revealed that the injury was a major setback, especially so early in her Sundowns journey, labeling it as horror: "I'd worked so hard to get to this point, and to see it all potentially slipping away was just heartbreaking. It was a storm of emotions and I think I was in shock,...

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies step into the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers with a reputation that precedes them. Having lifted the continental crown in 2021 and 2023, and reaching the final in 2022 where they narrowly lost on penalties to Zambia’s Green Buffaloes, Banyana Ba Style remain unbeaten in open play in the regional qualifiers since their debut. Andile Dlamini  © Gallo Images Banyana Banyana and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies goalkeeper Andile "Sticks" Dlamini knows the weight of expectation on her team’s shoulders. Having already established themselves as a dominant force in women’s football, Sundowns go into the tournament as favorites — but with that comes added pressure. “We are looking forward to the tournament and we are aware that we’ve made a name for ourselves,” Dlamini said. “This tournament won’t be easy — everyone that plays against us will want to be at their top A-game. We are fully aware of that, and we know what the club, the fans, our famil...