ZESCO Ndola Girls coach Florence Mwila says she is relieved and excited after the Zambian champions booked a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier final in Botswana.
ZESCO edged Silver Strikers of Malawi 2-1 on Thursday evening in the first semifinal at Gaborone United Stadium to reach the final.
Goals from Charity Mubanga and Penelope Mulubwa secured victory for the Ndola-based side.
The win means ZESCO have a perfect record at the regional tournament so far with four wins from four games.
Mwila hailed the “tough” 2-1 win over Silver Strikers as Zambian champions maintain perfect record.
“We are happy and excited that we are through to the final. The game was really tough,”_ Mwila told a post-match media conference.
“Strikers gave us pressure in the last minutes of the game. It is important we won and qualified for the final. We have seen areas that need improvement,”she added.
The player of the match award went to Jackline Chomba of Zesco Ndola Girls after a standout performance in their 2-1 victory over Silver Strikers.
ZESCO will now face the winners of the second semifinal between South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Gaborone United of Botswana for a place at the CAF Women’s Champions League proper.
The COSAFA Qualifier serves as the regional pathway for Southern African clubs to reach Africa’s premier women’s club competition.
Zesco advanced to the semifinals after topping Group A with 9 points from 3 wins, including a 1-0 win over Lesotho Defence Force, a 5-2 win against Herentals Queens, and a 2-0 victory over hosts Gaborone United.
