Khalid Niyonzima, Gaborone United Ladies head coach says his side has a good understanding of how Zesco Ndola Girls play as the two teams prepare to renew their rivalry at the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers later this month.
The draw set up a repeat of last year’s dramatic final, where Gaborone United defeated the Zambian champions on penalties to lift the regional title after an evenly contested match.
Speaking on Botswana Television’s Breakfast Show, Niyonzima said his team’s previous encounters with Zesco Ndola Girls and other opponents in the group have given them valuable insight ahead of the tournament.
“If you look at the history of this COSAFA tournament, this is the third edition that Gaborone United is representing Botswana. We met Zesco Ndola Girls from Zambia in last year’s final, and we have also played Herentals before. The only team we have not faced is Lesotho Defence Force,” Niyonzima said.
“They are all Champions” – Niyonzima.
“So, for us, we have an idea of how they play.”
The tournament will run from August 20 to 29, in Gaborone, Botswana with the hosts looking to defend the title on home soil.
Group A has Zesco Ndola Girls alongside Gaborone United Ladies, Zimbabwe’s Herentals Queens, and Lesotho Defence Force.
Group B comprises South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs, Mozambique’s Costa do Sol, and Malawi’s Silver Strikers.
Despite having prior knowledge of some of the teams, Niyonzima insisted there would be no easy matches in the competition.
“Football is very interesting because there is no weak opponent. You can only be weak on the day of the game,” he said.
“We take everybody equally because they are all champions from their respective countries.”
He noted that facing Zesco Ndola Girls again would be another major test for his side.
“We met the Zambian girls in the final last year. Now we meet them again, and it could be another final before the final because it will be our last group game,” Niyonzima said.
Only the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the tournament winners earning the COSAFA region’s place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
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