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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
ORGANISERS of the 2021 Total Energies CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier have confirmed the tournament will be held in Durban from August 26 to September 4.
The coastal city, successfully staged the men’s COSAFA Cup in 2019, is home to the world-class Moses Mabhida Stadium.
COSAFA General Secretary Sue Destombes yesterday said they are looking forward to a successful tournament in Durban.
“We are delighted that Durban has shown its commitment to women’s football with the staging of our crucial Total Energies CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier.
“This competition serves not only as an historic first club tournament for COSAFA but is also the qualifier for the inaugural Total Energies CAF Women’s Champions League that will be staged in Cairo later this year.
“Our plans for a COSAFA Women’s Champions League have been long in the making and we are delighted to have found such world-class host as Durban for us to launch this new era in our football,” said Destombes.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Hlengiwe Mavimbela, believes the timing of the competition is perfect.
“What makes this more exciting is that the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers are taking place during Women’s Month in South Africa, which puts a spotlight on the development of women in sports.
“In honour of our freedom fighter, Mama Charlotte Maxeke, we are confident that Durban, KwaZulu-Natal will host a well-organised and exciting tournament. I wish all participating teams the best of luck,” Mavimbela said.
The 2021 Total Energies CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier will see seven teams from around the region compete in two groups, with the top two sides in each pool advancing to the semifinals. The trophy winner will also book their ticket to Cairo.
South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are the seeded side in Group A, and will take on Lesotho Defence Force, Double Action Ladies from Botswana, and Eswatini’s Manzini Wanderers.
Zimbabwe’s representatives Black Rhinos Queens have been drawn in three-team Group B, alongside Zambian side Green Buffaloes and TURA Magic from Namibia.
However, Black Rhinos Queens, are yet to begin group preparations, with just under three weeks before kick off.
Rhinos Queens, who have not been able to play competitive football for almost two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, are still waiting for clearance from the Government after sport was suspended at the onset of the third wave of Covid-19.
The challenge now is to get the team ready for the regional tournament that starts in three weeks’ time, but coach Malven Moyo is confident they can pull it off.
“We last played in 2019, but we have been training in batches here and there,” Moyo told the COSAFA website.
“This year we have not trained due to the restrictions, but we have given our players individual training, and our fitness trainer and coaches have been monitoring the players and visiting them individually.”
Black Rhinos are in the three-team Group B along with Zambian side Green Buffaloes and Namibia’s TURA Magic in what will be a tough pool.
Online Reporter