Namibia’s women football champions Beauties FC got off to a losing start as they made their debut in the CAF Women’s Champions League | Cosafa Qualifiers in Johannesburg on Friday.
Zesco Ndola Girls of Zambia beat Beauties 3-0 while Mamelodi Sundowns beat Ntopwa FC of Malawi by the same score in the opening matches of the tournament.
A record ten clubs from around the Southern African region are vying for a single spot in the continental finals later this year, and two-time African champions Sundowns and regional debutants Zesco have made a fine start at the University of Johannesburg’s AW Muller Stadium.
Zesco did all their scoring in the first half against Beauties.
They were ahead after 21 minutes through captain Avell Chitundu, before a pair of penalties from Penelope Mulubwa and Eneless Phiri gave Zesco the handsome win.
The Zambians will be hoping to match compatriots Green Buffaloes, who lifted the trophy in 2022 when they defeated Sundowns on penalties in the final in Durban.
Sundowns have never lost a fixture outright in the competition and Ntopwa FC of Malawi were no match for the experience of the South Africans, who also won 3-0.
Botswana forward Refilwe Tholakele netted a brace for Sundowns and Nthabiseng Majiya added a second as they were comprehensive winners.
Sundowns and Zesco will clash in a potential group decider on Sunday.
The action continues on Saturday with the opening matches in the three-team Groups B and C.
Last year’s beaten finalists Gaborone United take on Eswatini’s Young Buffaloes in the first match in Group B, which kicks off at 12h00 (10h00 GMT).
Gaborone only lost out on the title last year on penalties and will believe they can turn silver into gold.
The first game in Group C sees Herentals Queens from Zimbabwe clash with Costa do Sol of Mozambique. Both sides have experience of this competition before.
Entrance for fans to all matches will be free of charge. If you cannot get to the stadium, you can watch all matches streamed live on Fifa+. cosafa.com
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