Silver Strikers Ladies’ hopes of reaching the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier were dashed in Gaborone, Botswana, following a 2–1 semi-final loss to Zesco Ndola Girls on Thursday afternoon.
End of the road for Silver Ladies in CAF
The Malawian side struggled with defensive communication during the opening stages, allowing Zesco Ndola Girls’ dangerous midfield duo, Penelope Mulubwa and Ilness Phiri, to exploit open space.
The Zambian outfit capitalized on these defensive lapses to score twice within the first 18 minutes. Penelope Mulubwa broke the deadlock in the 11th minute before Charity Mubanga doubled Zesco’s advantage just seven minutes later.
Silver Strikers Ladies returned from the break with renewed determination and pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute through Carolyn Mathyola. Mathyola reacted quickest to a rebound after Zesco failed to clear Ireen Khumalo’s initial effort, breathing fresh life into the Malawian side’s comeback bid.
However, Zesco Ndola Girls maintained their composure, frustrating Silver Strikers’ late push for an equalizer until the final whistle.
The result sends Silver Strikers Ladies to the third-place playoff, where they will face the loser of the second semi-final between Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and Gaborone United in pursuit of the tournament’s bronze medal.
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