The 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League l COSAFA Qualifier gets under way on Thursday with the seven competing clubs all seeking to book a ticket to Egypt later this year.

But first they will have to win the inaugural zonal Champions League for clubs, which will take place in Durban, with the final set for September 4.

Here is a quick guide to the clubs!

BLACK RHINOS QUEENS
Based: Harare, Zimbabwe
Group B opponents:
27/08 vs Green Buffaloes (Zambia) – 14h00
29/08 vs TURA Magic (Namibia) – 14h00
Quick Summary:
The army team has long been a force in women’s football in the country and won the last league championship that was staged in 2019.
They have a number of national team players in their ranks, including lethal forward Rutendo Makore, who is no stranger to COSAFA competitions at international level with Zimbabwe.
The team is coached by Kuda Matuvi, who has worked extensively in youth set-ups in the country and has a keen eye for talent.

DOUBLE ACTION LADIES
Based: Gaborone, Botswana
Group A opponents:
26/08 vs Manzini Wanderers (Eswatini) – 11h00
28/08 vs Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – 14h00
30/08 vs Lesotho Defence Force – 14h00
Quick Summary:
Double Action Ladies take their place in the tournament having replaced Prisons XI, who turned down the invitation to take part, citing logistical issues.
The team will be led by experienced head coach Oupa Kowa, who replaces Philemon Makhwengwe after the latter moved to men’s Premiership side Orapa United.
The club has a number of national team players, who excelled at the last COSAFA Women’s Championship in 2020 when The Mares reached the final but narrowly lost to South Africa.

GREEN BUFFALOES
Based: Lusaka, Zambia
Group B opponents:
27/08 vs Black Rhinos Queens (Zimbabwe) – 14h00
31/08 vs TURA Magic (Namibia) – 14h00
Quick Summary:
Green Buffaloes are an army-sponsored team based in the Zambian capital who will be among the favourites for the Champions League competition.
The club have some recognizable names, such as defenders Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo and Anita Mulenga, and midfielders Ireen Lungu and Agness Musase, who were all part of the Zambia side that performed so well at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
They are led by head coach Charles Haalubono and have great experience in their side, and players who will have an eye on Cairo.

LESOTHO DEFENCE FORCE
Based: Maseru, Lesotho
Group A opponents:
26/08 vs Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – 14h00
28/08 vs Manzini Wanderers (Eswatini) – 11h00
30/08 vs Double Action Ladies (Botswana) – 14h00
Quick Summary:
Army side Lesotho Defence Force are led by head coach Lengana Nkhethoa, who is a former men’s national team defender.
They packed with international players and have been the best side in the country over the last while, hoping to now turn that into international success.
LDF won the Lesotho Women’s Super League for the third year in a row in 2020 and were founded by former national team player Baholo Motene, who last year was elected president of the Lesotho Women’s Football Executive Committee.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Based: Pretoria, South Africa
Group A opponents:
26/08 vs Lesotho Defence Force – 14h00
28/08 vs Double Action Ladies (Botswana) – 14h00
30/08 vs Manzini Wanderers (Eswatini) – 14h00
Quick Summary:
The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies side are hoping to ultimately emulate the men’s team that won the CAF Champions League in 2016 and they certainly have quality all through their ranks.
The team won the inaugural SAFA National Women’s League in 2020 to book their place at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League l COSAFA Qualifier.
They are led by head coach Jerry Tshabalala and make use of the same Chloorkop facilities as the men’s team, allowing them to maximise preparations for the competition.

MANZINI WANDERERS
Based: Manzini, Eswatini
Group A opponents:
26/08 vs Double Action Ladies (Botswana) – 11h00
28/08 vs Lesotho Defence Force – 11h00
30/08 vs Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – 14h00
Quick Summary:
Manzini Wanderers are hoping to make a splash at the tournament and showcase the quality of the local league.
Head coach Bongani Makhukhula will lead the side and they have the likes of defenders Welile Ndwandwe and Thandeka Mbatha, and forward Zwane have all played recently for the national team.
They have long been the most successful Ladies team in Eswatini, and the club is one of the oldest in Eswatini and is steeped in tradition.

TURA MAGIC
Based: Windhoek, Namibia
Group B opponents:
29/08 vs Black Rhinos Queens (Zimbabwe) – 14h00
31/08 vs Green Buffaloes (Zambia) – 14h00
Quick Summary:
TURA Magic have confirmed the club will be led by former Namibia Football Association Technical Director Timo Tjongarero, who is no stranger to regional competitions having steered the country’s men’s side to victory at the 2016 COSAFA Under-17 Championship that was staged in Mauritius.
He will hope to do likewise with Magic and will be assisted by the former coach of the team, Shama Gure. The change in tacticians is required as CAF have set minimum requirements for the licenses of the head coaches at the tournament.
The team are current champions and in March walked away with the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Women’s Super Cup.