Zesco Fall to Gaborone United on Penalties, Miss Out on CAF Women’s Champions League Spot

(Photo via COSAFA media)

Zesco Ndola Girls suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat on penalties to Gaborone United, missing out on both the COSAFA title and a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

After trailing 1-0, Zesco battled back to equalize late in the match through Fridah Kabwe and force extra time. However, in the decisive shootout, Hazel Nali, Jackline Chomba, and Vast Phiri missed their spot kicks, handing Gaborone United the victory.

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 🤩

Elness Phiri 🇿🇲 #cafwclqualifiers #cosafaqualifiers2025 #cosafa pic.twitter.com/C3rEFRziGb
— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) August 31, 2025

Gaborone United, runners-up in last year’s final against Mamelodi Sundowns, will now represent the COSAFA region at the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League.

Zesco have also missed out on a chance to qualify for the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, set to kick off in October 2025.

The winner of the CAF Women’s Champions League, which will be played later this year will represent Africa in the six-club tournament.

Gaborone United won the Cosafa title for the first time. (Photo via COSAFA media)

Arsenal, winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League, have already secured their spot. Others that have already qualified include Auckland United FC (OFC Women’s Champions League 2025 winners), Gotham FC (Concacaf W Champions Cup 2024/25 winners), and Wuhan Jiangda (AFC Women’s Champions League 2024/25 winners).

Calvin Kaumba Chikenge September 1, 2025

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Calvin Kaumba Chikenge is an award-winning Zambian multimedia sports journalist well known for his exclusive stories and feature writing. He was voted 2023/24 MTN/FAZ Super League journalist of the year. In addition to reporting on sports for Spring TV, he interned for the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper. He is the current Ballon d'Or juror and has contributed to numerous international publications, including the Guardian in the UK, and is the editor of BolaNews.