ZESCO Ndola Girls have reached the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026 after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lesotho Defence Force on Saturday.
Eneless Phiri once again proved decisive for the Zambian champions, scoring on the stroke of half-time after producing an excellent run through the LDF defence before calmly finishing to give ZESCO a crucial lead.
Phiri Continues to Shine
The goal was Phiri’s third of the tournament after she scored twice in ZESCO’s emphatic 5-2 opening victory over Zimbabwean champions Herentals Queens.
The forward has quickly emerged as one of ZESCO’s most influential attacking players, with three goals in two matches.
Unlike their opening fixture, ZESCO had to work much harder against a determined LDF side, who defended resolutely and made it difficult for the Zambian champions to create clear opportunities.
However, ZESCO showed composure to protect their narrow advantage and secure their second consecutive victory.
The win also saw them record their first clean sheet of the tournament.
ZESCO Secure Semi-Final Qualification
The result takes ZESCO Ndola Girls to six points from two matches and guarantees their place in the last four.
They currently sit at the top of Group A on goal difference, level on six points with defending champions Gaborone United Ladies.
The two sides will meet on Monday in their final group match, with top spot in the group at stake.
Gaborone United Also Advance
Defending champions Gaborone United Ladies also secured their semi-final place after defeating Herentals Queens 1-0.
Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse scored the decisive goal in the 18th minute to give Gaborone their second victory of the competition.
Herentals Queens and Lesotho Defence Force are now eliminated from semi-final contention and will meet in their final Group A fixture on Monday.
ZESCO Target Top Spot
ZESCO started their campaign in impressive fashion, defeating Herentals 5-2, with Phiri and Charity Mubanga scoring twice each while Penelope Mulubwa also found the net.
With six points already secured, ZESCO’s focus now turns to Gaborone United.
Victory or a positive result against the defending champions could see the Zambian champions finish top of Group A and potentially secure a favourable semi-final position.
The tournament’s matches are being streamed live on FIFA+ and the COSAFA YouTube Channel.
Conclusion
ZESCO Ndola Girls have taken another major step towards securing a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals after booking their semi-final place with two victories from two matches.
With Eneless Phiri in excellent goalscoring form and the defence recording its first clean sheet, the Zambian champions will now look to finish the group stage strongly against Gaborone United and claim top spot.
