Gaborone United Ladies FC have been crowned champions of the Southern African region after they were 4-3 winners on penalties following a 1-1 draw with Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers in Johannesburg on Sunday (31 August).
The Botswana club will go on to represent the region in the continental finals later this year.
It is the reward for a fine campaign after they had won the silver medal last year when they lost the final on penalties to South Africa’s University of the Western Cape (UWC).
This time they made no mistake, beating ZESCO Ndola Girls through spot kicks, with the latter falling short after stunning hosts Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the semifinals.
Gaborone United took the lead in first-half injury time when Keitumetse Dithebe’s cross was headed goalwards by Lesego Radiakanyo, and the ball deflected into the net off ZESCO Ndola Girls’ Jackline Chomba for an own goal.
It looked as though that would be enough for the win, until ZESCO Ndola Girls found a dramatic equaliser.
A shot from 30 yards came back off the crossbar and the hero from the semifinals, Fridah Kabwe headed in the rebound to make the score 1-1.
Neither could find a winner in extra-time and it was Gaborone United who held their nerve in the shoot-out to complete a famous win.
Gaborone United are the fourth winner of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers after Sundowns (2021, 2023), Green Buffaloes (2022) from Zambia and UWC (2024).
ZESCO Ndola Girls’ Eneless Phiri won Player of the Tournament, while Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse of Gaborone United took home the Golden Boot for her seven goals. She also became the most prolific goal scorer in the competition’s history during this tournament, taking her career tally to 13.
Tlamelo Pheresi of Gaborone United won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, and ZESCO Ndola Girls claimed the Fair Play award.
It capped another incredible COSAFA club tournament, delivered in partnership with sponsors Hollywoodbets, who continue to invest in the future of football in the region.
SUNDAY’S RESULT:
Final
Gaborone United Ladies FC 1(Chomba 45’og)Zesco Ndola Girls 1(Kabwe 90’)
After extra-time, Gaborone United win 4-3 on penalties.
TOURNAMENT STATS:
Matches Played: 15
Goals scored: 63
Biggest victory: Gaborone United Ladies FC 10 Kick4Life 1 (Group B, August 27)
Most goals in a game: 9 – Gaborone United Ladies FC 10 Kick4Life 1 (Group B, August 27)
GOALSCORERS:
7 goals – Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (Gaborone United Ladies FC)
5 – Maungo Maponga (Gaborone United Ladies FC)
3 –Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Morelife Nyagumbo (Herentals Queens), Eneless Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls), Refilwe Tholakele (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)
2 – Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Millicent Hikuam (Beauties FC), Fridah Kabwe (Zesco Ndola Girls), Lucia Moçambique (Costa do Sol), Boitumelo Rabale (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)
1 –Anllaouia Ali (Olympic de Moroni), Suraya Ali (Olympic de Moroni), Rose Alufandika (Ntopwa FC), Twelikondjele Amukoto (Beauties FC), Kondawo Banda (Ntopwa FC), Keitumetse Dithebe (Gaborone United Ladies FC), Nomvuyo Dvuba (Young Buffaloes), Desiree Kenyaditswe (Gaborone United Ladies FC), Samira Latifo (Costa do Sol),Polite Mabika (Herentals Queens), Eunencia Machava (Costa do Sol), Karabo Makhurubetshi (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Solomampionona Mamonjy (Olympic de Moroni), Nteboheleng Mohoshela (Kick4Life), Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Milla Milambo (Zesco Ndola Girls), Charity Mubanga (Zesco Ndola Girls), Munashe Sandra Mugwara (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Joana Mussuie (Costa do Sol), Nonjabuliso Mokgale (Young Buffaloes), Penelope Mulubwa (Zesco Ndola Girls), Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Lerato Tsoinyane (Kick4Life), Jessie Yosefe (Ntopwa FC)
Own goals – Jackline Chomba (Zesco Ndola Girls), Marlene Janeiro (Costa do Sol), Matseliso Mosala (Kick4Life), Ruth Nyirongo (Ntopwa FC)
Source: COSAFA.com
