ZESCO Ndola Girls began their CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers 2025 campaign in dominant fashion, sweeping aside Lesotho’s Beauties FC with a convincing 3-0 win at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Friday afternoon. The victory not only set the tone for their regional debut but also marked a historic return for goalkeeper Hazel Natasha Nali, who kept a clean sheet in her first competitive appearance since 2023.
First-Half Brilliance Sets the Tone
The Zambian champions wasted no time asserting themselves in the contest. After a spell of sustained pressure, Avell Chitundu broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, finishing off a neat attacking move that exposed Beauties’ defensive frailties.
ZESCO continued to dominate possession, pressing high and forcing errors from the Lesotho side. Their pressure was rewarded just before halftime when Penelope Mulubwa calmly converted from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute, doubling the advantage. Moments later, Enelesi Phiri followed suit with another penalty in the 45th minute, making it 3-0 at the interval and leaving Beauties with a mountain to climb.
Nali’s Inspirational Comeback
While ZESCO’s attacking trio grabbed the headlines, the story of the evening was the safe pair of hands at the other end. Hazel Natasha Nali, Zambia’s number one and one of the most respected goalkeepers on the continent, returned between the sticks for the first time since 2023 following a long injury layoff.
Nali looked sharp and composed, marshalling her defense with authority and pulling off key interventions whenever Beauties threatened on the counter. Her clean sheet was more than just a statistic — it symbolized her resilience and served as a huge boost for both ZESCO and Zambian women’s football at large.
Tactical Superiority
Coach Enala Phiri set up her side in an aggressive 4-3-3 system that stretched Beauties wide and capitalized on their slow transitions. ZESCO’s pressing game suffocated the opposition, with midfielders recycling possession quickly to keep the pressure on. The use of both flanks proved decisive, as Chitundu and Phiri constantly tested the full-backs with their pace and movement.
Defensively, ZESCO were equally disciplined. With Nali orchestrating from the back, the Ndola Girls rarely looked troubled, limiting Beauties to speculative efforts from distance. The balance between attack and defense highlighted ZESCO’s growth as a unit, especially on the continental stage.
What’s Next?
With three points secured, ZESCO Ndola Girls will now turn their attention to a crucial clash against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies on Sunday at 15h00. Sundowns, the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League winners, present a sterner challenge and will test ZESCO’s credentials as serious contenders.
A positive result against Sundowns could see ZESCO all but seal their place in the knockout stages, while also sending a strong message across Africa that Zambia’s women’s champions are ready to compete at the highest level.
Conclusion
ZESCO Ndola Girls could not have asked for a better start to their debut COSAFA Champions League campaign. Goals from Chitundu, Mulubwa, and Phiri ensured a comfortable victory, but it was the comeback of Hazel Natasha Nali that added an emotional edge to the triumph. With confidence soaring, all eyes now turn to their heavyweight battle with Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.
