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THE COSAFA edition of the Women’s Champions League qualifier 2024 explodes into life in Blantyre, Malawi tomorrow with Zimbabwe’s debutant representatives Herentals getting the tournament underway with a midday assignment against Namibia’s FC Ongos.
Eight teams will battle it out for a place in the continental finals to be staged later this year.
Giants Mamelodi Sundowns have already qualified as the African champions and holders, but who will join them from the COSAFA region is the big question.
The 2022 champions Green Buffaloes headline Group A and will be favourites to advance to the semi-finals and the spotlight will fall on Herentals who are looking to make an impact and join the Zambians in the semi-finals.
FC Ongos from Namibia were in the inaugural championship in 2021 at TURA Magic when they had a horror draw against Buffaloes and eventual finalists Black Rhinos Queens.
There is a sense of déjà vu as they meet Buffalos again and another Zimbabwean qualifier in Herentals Queens, who are on debut and are a largely unknown factor.
Throw in South African side University of the Western Cape and they have three tough fixtures.
UWC have finished runners-up in the South African league for the last three seasons behind powerhouse Sundowns and have plenty of quality in their side too.
Winning the first game will be a huge boost for the sides as it puts them on the front foot in a tough pool.
DATE FIXTURES KO TIME
August 15 Herentals Queens vs FC Ongos 12h00
August 15 UWC vs Green Buffaloes 15h00
August 17 Green Buffaloes vs Herentals Queens 12h00
August 17 UWC vs FC Ongos 15h00
August 19 FC Ongos vs Green Buffaloes 12h00
August 19 UWC vs Herentals Queens 15h00
GROUP B:
Malawian qualifiers Ascent Academy will have “home” advantage, even if they are based in Lilongwe, with local fans likely to get behind them as they wave the country’s flag.
Young Buffaloes from Eswatini return for a third successive championship but have failed to manage a win to date and will be looking to make a bit of history this time round.
The other two clubs are debutants in Gaborone United, who are now led by coach William Monene, the man in charge of compatriots Double Action when they made the final in 2023.
He knows what it takes to go deep into this tournament.
União Desportiva de Lichinga from Mozambique are the other new team, taking over from last year’s third-placed side Costa do Sol.
This will be a big step up in quality for them.
This group may not be as stacked with potential winners, but that does not make it any easier to call and it could well be a fight to the final round of fixtures to see, who emerges as the top two.
Fixtures:
August 16: Gaborone United vs UD de Lichinga 12h00
August 16: Ascent Academy vs Young Buffaloes 15h00
August 18: Gaborone United vs Young Buffaloes 12h00
August 18 UD de Lichinga vs Ascent Academy 15h00
August 20: Young Buffaloes vs UD de Lichinga 12h00
August 20: Gaborone United vs Ascent Academy 15h00 — Sports Reporter/cosafa.com
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