Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HERENTALS Queens launch their third bid for a place at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals tomorrow, carrying the lessons of a semi-final defeat in 2024 and last year’s group-stage exit.
Coach Simbarashe Dedza believes those setbacks have prepared the four-time Zimbabwe champions for a demanding Group A campaign in Gaborone.
Vagoni Vebasa open against last year’s runners-up and back-to-back Zambian champions ZESCO Ndola Girls at noon.
Hosts and defending champions Gaborone United and Lesotho Defence Force complete the group.
The top two teams advance to the semi-finals, while only the winner qualifies for the continental finals.
“We have been here before, not once but twice,” Dedza said.
“There are plenty of lessons that we have learnt from the two years we have participated in the competition.
“Last year, we were in a group that looked manageable on paper. We got carried away and ended up paying the price.” Herentals defeated Ongos and former champions Green Buffaloes on their tournament debut in Malawi before losing 1-0 to Gaborone United in the semi-finals.
They returned last year, but missed the semi-finals on goal difference after losing 2-0 to Costa do Sol and beating Olympic de Moroni 4-2. ZESCO present an immediate test. The Zambian champions reached the final on their tournament debut last year after beating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the semi-finals. They lost the final to Gaborone United on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Their squad includes captain Avell Chitundu, Eneless Phiri and goalkeeper Hazel Nali, who were part of Zambia’s squad at the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. “We know ZESCO Ndola Girls are a good team with many strong players,” Dedza said. “But we are not in Botswana to look at names on paper. We are here to play football and give it our all.
“We cannot underestimate any team. Our focus has to be there from the first match against ZESCO.” Herentals have strengthened their defence by bringing back Egness Tumbare on loan from Correctional Queens.
Tumbare provided stability during the club’s 2024 campaign while on a six-month loan, but was unavailable last year.
Her return comes at an important time, with captain Tabeth Mutinhiri injured and Talent Mukwanda unavailable.
“I am confident that we will play with the same heart we showed in our first tournament in 2024,” Tumbare said.
“Most of the girls who were part of that campaign are here, and the new faces are also eager to play.”
Winger Natasha Benza is also in the squad and could make her first appearance in the competition after missing the previous two editions.
“It’s simple. I want to make up for lost time and help my team through this tournament,” Benza said.
“We are here to win it and earn the right to represent Southern Africa in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.”
