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Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies take step closer to continental finals

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Bambanani Mbane of Mamelodi Sundowns during the CAF Women's Champions League, COSAFA Qualifiers 2026 Semi Final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Gaborone United at GU Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana on 27 August 2026 ©Alche Greeff/BackpagePix

Last year’s runners-up ZESCO Ndola Girls will face two-time African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026 on Saturday after both came through tough semi-final clashes.

Zambia’s ZESCO edged Silver Strikers of Malawi 2-1 in the first of Thursday’s semi-finals, before Sundowns saw off defending champions Gaborone United with a comprehensive 5-0 win.

ZESCO knocked Sundowns out at the semi-final stage of last year’s competition, which remains the only time the South African side have lost in ordinary time at the regional finals since making their debut in 2021.

The decider will kick off at 18h00 CAT (16h00 GMT), with the winner booking their place at the continental finals later in the year.

Silver Strikers and Gaborone United meet in the third-place play-off at 15h00 CAT (13h00 GMT) as they battle for bronze.

ZESCO booked their place in the final after goals from Penelope Mulubwa and Charity Mubanga gave them a 2-0 lead.

Silver Strikers pulled one back when Eneless Phiri’s clearance struck Mathyola and deflected into the net, setting up a tense finish.

The Malawians could not find an equaliser, though, and ZESCO held on for the win.

There was a vociferous home crowd in attendance at Gaborone United Stadium for the second semi-final, but the hosts could not make it a hat-trick of final appearances in as many years.

Sundowns took the lead after 21 minutes, with the goal scored, ironically, by Botswana international Tholakele, who headed home unmarked at the back post.

It was 2-0 just before halftime as Nonhlanhla Mthandi controlled the ball 15 yards from goal and was able to pick her spot, curling it into the corner.
Sundowns made sure of the win on 67 minutes as a mistake at the back allowed Tholakele to pick up possession and fire past the goalkeeper.

That goal was her fifth of the campaign, taking her clear at the top of the Golden Boot race. It was also the 50th goal of the tournament in Gaborone.

There was still time for two more as Isabella Ludwig netted her third of the competition after latching onto a loose ball in the box, before Wendy Shongwe added a fifth in stoppage time.