Record 10 teams set to shine at COSAFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers
The 2025 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers, staged from August 22–31 at Johannesburg’s UJ AW Muller Stadium, promises the biggest and most competitive tournament in its short history.
A record 10 teams from across Southern Africa will battle for one golden prize – the right to represent COSAFA at the continental finals later this year.
The competition has steadily grown in stature since its inception, and with a record number of entries this year, it reflects both the progress of women’s football in the region and the increasing depth of quality among domestic leagues.
All matches will be played at the AW Muller Stadium, with free entry for fans keen to watch the drama unfold. Those unable to attend can follow every moment on FIFA+ and COSAFA’s YouTube Channel.
The format remains straightforward: three groups (two of three teams, one of four) will contest the group stage. The winners of each group and the best second-placed side progress to the semi-finals on August 29, before the final on August 31 crowns the regional champion.
For clubs, the qualifier is about more than silverware. It is a platform for players to showcase their ability on a bigger stage, for coaches to measure progress, and for emerging clubs to make history.
Group A is headlined by Mamelodi Sundowns, the benchmark for women’s club football in Africa. Twice continental champions, Sundowns arrive with pedigree and expectations. Their clash with debutantes Zesco Ndola Girls on Sunday is already being billed as a potential decider.
Zesco’s story underlines the shifting landscape in Zambia. For four years, Green Buffaloes carried the nation’s flag, even winning the qualifier in 2022. But Zesco ended their rivals’ dominance by storming to the domestic title in May, unbeaten in 34 games. Penelope Mulubwa’s 35 goals powered their rise, and the Ndola side now has a chance to prove itself on the regional stage.
Also in the group are Malawi’s Ntopwa FC and Namibia’s Beauties FC, both debutants, who will open the tournament on Friday. For them, the challenge is steep, but history has shown that first-timers can spring surprises.
Group B begins with Gaborone United Ladies FC against Young Buffaloes of Eswatini. Gaborone were last year’s losing finalists and will want to go one step further in Johannesburg.
For Young Buffaloes, this is a fourth consecutive appearance. Their story is one of resilience and gradual improvement. After group-stage exits in 2022 and 2023, they reached the semi-finals last year, even recording their first-ever win in the competition – a 4-0 triumph over Mozambique’s UD Lichinga.
Buffaloes’ domestic record is astonishing: they once completed a 24-game league season with 221 goals scored and none conceded. That firepower, if translated onto the continental stage, makes them dangerous.
Debutantes Kick4Life Women FC of Lesotho complete the pool, and though untested at this level, they could influence who advances.
Zimbabwe’s Herentals Queens and Mozambique’s Costa do Sol open Group C. Herentals, seasoned competitors, bring know-how, while Costa do Sol, one of Mozambique’s best-known clubs, are hungry to deliver a breakthrough.
Comoros’ Olympic De Moroni, returning after recent campaigns, add another layer. Their spirited performances in past editions have made them tricky opponents capable of upsetting calculations.
Costa do Sol’s match with Moroni on Monday is flagged as crucial, while Herentals’ closing tie with the Comoros side could decide the group.
The semi-finals are set for August 29, pitting the Group B winner against the Group C winner at midday, before Group A’s winner meets the best runner-up later that afternoon. The final, on August 31, will be the ultimate test – a single game to determine COSAFA’s representative at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
