Eden University Women’s Super League champions ZESCO Ndola Girls will square off against continental heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns in Group A of the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers, set to take place from August 22 to 31 at the University of Johannesburg’s AW Muller Stadium.
The Zambian champions are joined in the group by Ntopwa FC of Malawi and Beauties FC of Namibia, making Group A one of the most competitive in the regional qualifier.
ZESCO will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of Green Buffaloes, who won the tournament in 2022 to secure a historic place at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
Group Stage Breakdown
Group A:
Group B:
Group C:
Herentals Queens (Zimbabwe)
Costa Do Sol (Mozambique)
Olympique de Moroni (Comoros)
A record 10 clubs will compete in this year’s qualifiers, a sign of the growing stature of women’s football in the COSAFA region.
Aiming for Continental Glory
ZESCO Ndola Girls—nicknamed Zegalicious—have been actively reinforcing their squad for the regional challenge. The club recently signed Copper Queens goalkeeper Hazel Nali and defender Esther Muchinga, with more signings expected in the coming days.
The goal is clear: to qualify for the 2025/26 CAF Women’s Champions League, where they would join the elite of African women’s club football.
Zegalicious will be eager to emulate the success of past COSAFA representatives at continental level:
Mamelodi Sundowns – Qualified in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024
Green Buffaloes – Qualified in 2022
University of the Western Cape – Qualified in 2024
With Sundowns being two-time CAF Women’s Champions League winners, ZESCO will face a stern test in the group opener, but one they are preparing for with ambition.
