Buffaloes Stunned by Herentals Queens in COSAFA Showdown
Green Buffaloes Women’s FC, the Zambian champions, suffered their first defeat in the 2024 COSAFA Women’s Champions League, falling 1-0 to Zimbabwean side Herentals Queens. Maudy Mafuruse’s decisive header in the 60th minute from a well-executed corner sealed the win for Herentals at a packed Mpira Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi.
Mafuruse’s goal, her second of the tournament, propelled Herentals to the top of Group A with six points. The win means that Herentals need just a draw in their final group match against the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on Monday to secure a place in the semifinals.
For Green Buffaloes, the road to the semifinals has become steeper. They must win their final group match against Ongos Ladies of Namibia, scheduled for Monday at 12:00 at Mpira Stadium, to secure their place in the last four.
Meanwhile, UWC bounced back from their opening loss to Buffaloes by defeating FC Ongos 3-0, thanks to goals from Sibulele Holweni, Fikile Magama, and Bongeka Gamede. UWC now sits with three points, keeping their semifinal hopes alive, while Ongos Ladies are out of the race after suffering two consecutive losses.
The winner of this 10-day tournament will earn a spot in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals, joining Mamelodi Sundowns, who have already secured their place as the reigning African champions.
