Green Buffaloes women’s football team will progress to the COSAFA Women’s Club Championship semi-finals with just a draw against Lesotho Defence Force on Monday.
But according to Club head coach Carol Kanyemba, the goal for the current champions is to finish first in the Group with a victory to avoid an encounter with rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.
While the team only needs a point to continue the mission of defending their crown, following a one nil victory over Ntopwa football club of Malawi, however, Coach Kanyemba told BolaNews in an exclusive interview from South Africa that she is not taking anything for granted.
“It’s a must-win game for us and we will fight for all the three points. As you know, a draw will be okay, but our target is to finish top of the group,” she said.
“The competition is getting stiffer every day, but we are also growing in confidence,” she added.
Finishing top of the summit could also prove to be vital for the Nyanta Girls in a bid to avoid meeting former Cosafa winners and bitter rival, Mamelodi Sundowns.
“We are not afraid of any team but finishing top of the Group means facing a weak team from the other Group that will finish in second position,” she said.
When asked if the team would be under pressure for this afternoon’s last Group A match, Coach Kanyemba responded that wearing the Green Buffaloes jersey and having any connection to the Club comes with a price.
“Yes, we are under pressure as defending champions. At this stage any team in our Group can still qualify to the next round. It would be disappointing if we were to go back home in Lusaka with a disappointing result today,” she said.
Ntopwa and Double Action can progress too.
After a difficult start to the tournament, they rallied to force a 1-1 draw with co-group leaders Double Action Ladies. They then edged Ntopwa 1–0, moving the Buffaloes one step closer to the semifinals of the regional competition.
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Ntopwa and Double Action also have a stronger chance of advancing to the knockout rounds because a victory will be necessary to flip the tide and surprise the Nyanta Girls.
