The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) has announced Botswana as the host of the 2026 Cosafa Women’s Champions League which serves as the regional qualifier for the CAF Women’s Champions League from August 6 to 15.

The tournament will bring together top women’s football clubs from the Cosafa bloc, including Malawi’s representatives Silver Strikers Ladies FC with the champions qualifying for the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League finals.

Silver Ladies celebrate winning the NBM Premiership last season. | Nation

In a statement, Cosafa said it was looking forward to another successful edition of the competition.

“It will be a special occasion for Botswana football, with reigning Cosafa champions Gaborone United Ladies FC set to defend their title on home soil,” the statement reads in par.

Gaborone United of Botswana claimed the 2025 regional crown after defeating Zambia’s Zesco Ndola Girls 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and club licensing manager Clement Kafwafwa said in an interview that the association is finalising required club licensing requirements for Silver Ladies.

“We uploaded the club licensing documents for both Silver Strikers Women’s Team, who will participate in the Cosafa Women’s Champions League and Mighty Wanderers, who will compete in the CAF Champions League to the CAF online licensing platform ahead of the June 30 deadline,” he said.

On his part, Silver Strikers chief executive officer Patrick Chimimba said they have stepped up preparations for the competition.

The Bankers held a weeklong safeguarding camp last week to equip the players with the knowledge and skills to identify, prevent and report abuse ahead of the qualifiers.

“Talent can win moments, preparations wins matches. As we wait for the start of the National Women Championships and the CAF games, a little camp for the ladies is just the right thing to do,” said Chimimba.

Ntopwa Super Queens were the first team to represent Malawi in the tournament in 2023 followed by Ascent Academy the following year.

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