ZESCO Ndola Girls head coach Florence Mwila says she is fully aware of the experience within the Silver Strikers squad as the Zambian champions prepare for a tough COSAFA CAF Women’s Champions League qualifier semifinal clash this afternoon.

The two sides meet at 16:00 CAT, with ZESCO Ndola Girls aiming to maintain their perfect run in the tournament after winning all three of their Group A matches.

Silver Strikers, meanwhile, have impressed on their debut, recording two victories in Group B to reach the last four and set up an intriguing contest against last year’s losing finalists.

Mwila says ZESCO is expecting a significantly tougher challenge at the semifinal stage and has urged her players to remain focused both physically and psychologically.

“We are approaching the match as it comes, but we know that we’re going to face a tough team because now, at the stage where we are in the tournament, we know that now it’s even tougher than the way it was in the group stage.”

Mwila on Why Silver Strikers Pose a Threat to ZESCO

Mwila believes the mental preparation of her players will be just as important as their tactical approach, given the significance of the semifinal encounter.

“We just need to prepare ourselves as a team psychologically as well and also encourage the players and just for them to know how demanding this game is,” she said.

Despite Silver Strikers’ status as newcomers to the regional competition, Mwila insists her side will not underestimate the Malawian champions.

“More or less like a derby, but I mean, we’re in a tournament; this is a competition, so we’ll take them as they come,” she said. “We know they’re not a pushover. They’ve got five players that are just coming from the WAFCON. We know the experience that the team carries, and so we have prepared ourselves accordingly.”

Meanwhile, Silver Strikers head coach Patricio Kulemeka says the Malawian club views the tournament as part of a broader project aimed at establishing Silver Strikers among the region’s leading women’s clubs.

“For me, I feel great, especially for our women, women’s football, and especially for Silver Strikers,” Kulemeka said.

“Like I said, it’s a project. We came to show that we’re organised, we have an ambitious plan, that we want to reach out where our colleagues have gone.”

Kulemeka believes Silver Strikers’ debut campaign has already demonstrated their potential and says the team is determined to go all the way.

“Now that we are here, we are ready to show and also to give back to women’s football. Everything is doable, and this is the beginning of our journey to achieve our ambitious dream to go to CAF,” he said.

The second semifinal will see hosts Gaborone United face two-time CAF Women’s Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns at 19:00 CAT.

The winner of the tournament will be the region’s sole representative at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals later this year.