ZESCO Ndola Girls delivered a statement performance in Gaborone on Monday night, defeating defending champions Gaborone United Ladies 2-0 to finish top of Group A in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier. The highly anticipated encounter took place at Gaborone United Stadium, with the two sides meeting again after last year’s final. This time, however, the stakes were different as both teams battled for first place in the group and the advantage that comes with finishing at the summit. ZESCO Ndola Girls produced a disciplined performance to claim all three points and complete the group stage with a perfect record. The 2-0 victory also gave the Zambian champions an important psychological boost as they continue their pursuit of a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
The match carried additional significance because of the history between Gaborone United Ladies and ZESCO Ndola Girls. The two teams met in the 2025 COSAFA Women’s Champions League final, with Gaborone United eventually winning the trophy after a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Monday’s encounter therefore provided ZESCO with an opportunity to respond after narrowly missing out on the title a year earlier. Rather than allowing the previous result to weigh on them, the Zambian side approached the match with confidence and intensity from the opening whistle. Their early goal immediately changed the complexion of the contest and gave them a platform from which they could control the game.
ZESCO Ndola Girls made the perfect start by taking the lead inside the opening minute. Eneless Phiri delivered a corner that was met by Charity Mubanga, who rose above the Gaborone United defence and powered a header into the net. The early breakthrough stunned the home side and gave ZESCO the advantage almost immediately after kick-off. For Gaborone United, conceding so early meant they had to chase the game against a Zambian team that had already demonstrated its ability to defend a lead. The goal also underlined ZESCO’s ability to make set pieces count in important matches, with Phiri and Mubanga combining effectively to punish the hosts.
Gaborone United responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but ZESCO Ndola Girls remained organised and resilient. The match developed into a physical contest as the defending champions attempted to break through the Zambian defence. Gaborone United created pressure as they looked for a way back into the match, but ZESCO continued to protect their advantage with disciplined defending. The visitors understood that another goal from the hosts could change the momentum, so they remained focused on limiting clear opportunities. Their ability to withstand the pressure proved crucial as the game moved into its later stages with ZESCO still holding a narrow lead.
The decisive moment arrived in the 87th minute when Avell Chitundu doubled ZESCO Ndola Girls’ advantage. Chitundu found the net with a close-range header to put the result beyond doubt and effectively end Gaborone United’s hopes of rescuing a point. The late goal capped a strong performance from the Zambian champions, who had defended their lead before producing the final blow. It also ensured that ZESCO finished the group stage with three wins from three matches and nine points. For Gaborone United, the defeat meant they had to settle for second place in Group A despite progressing to the semi-finals as runners-up.
The result represents a significant achievement for ZESCO Ndola Girls, who completed the group stage with a perfect record. They collected nine points from three matches and finished above the defending champions, establishing themselves as one of the leading contenders in the regional competition. Their performances have shown a combination of attacking efficiency and defensive discipline, qualities that will be important during the knockout stage. The Zambian side also demonstrated that it has learned from its experience in the previous edition, when it reached the final but lost to Gaborone United on penalties. With another victory over the same opponents, ZESCO now enters the semi-finals with renewed confidence.
For Gaborone United Ladies, the loss was disappointing but did not end their campaign. The Botswana champions advanced to the semi-finals after finishing second in Group A, keeping their hopes of defending their regional crown alive. The defeat was also their first loss in regulation time at the regional finals, according to CAF. Their only previous defeat in a final-stage tie had come through a penalty shootout in the 2024 decider, highlighting the strength of their recent record in the competition. The team will now need to regroup quickly and prepare for a demanding semi-final against the winner of Group B.
The match also demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change in elite women’s football. Gaborone United entered the contest as defending champions and had the advantage of playing at home, but ZESCO’s early goal gave the visitors control of the match. The Zambian side showed patience after taking the lead instead of committing too many players forward and leaving space for the hosts to exploit. That tactical discipline allowed them to absorb pressure and preserve their advantage for most of the contest. Chitundu’s late goal then provided the finishing touch to a performance that combined defensive organisation with clinical moments in attack.
The victory is especially meaningful given ZESCO Ndola Girls’ recent development on the regional stage. The club emerged as a strong force in the 2025 competition, reaching the final after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final before losing to Gaborone United on penalties. The experience of playing against established opponents appears to have strengthened the Zambian side’s belief and competitive edge. Their 2026 campaign has started with three consecutive victories, including a convincing opening win over Herentals Queens and a narrow victory over Lesotho Defence Force before the decisive result against Gaborone United. That consistency has now placed ZESCO in a strong position heading into the knockout rounds.
The 2-0 result also sets up an intriguing next stage of the competition. ZESCO Ndola Girls will face the winner of Group B in the semi-finals as they continue their bid to reach the CAF Women’s Champions League finals. Gaborone United will also have a semi-final opportunity after qualifying as Group A runners-up, with the team potentially facing a major challenge depending on the final Group B standings. Among the teams still competing in Group B is South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, who entered the tournament as one of the leading contenders. The knockout stage is therefore expected to produce another series of high-quality encounters as clubs compete for the single COSAFA qualification place at the continental finals.
ZESCO Ndola Girls’ 2-0 victory over Gaborone United Ladies will be remembered as more than another group-stage result. It gave the Zambian champions revenge of sorts after last year’s final defeat while confirming their position at the top of Group A with nine points from three matches. The early goal from Charity Mubanga and late header from Avell Chitundu provided the goals that secured the victory, while the team’s defensive discipline ensured Gaborone United could not find a response. The defending champions remain in contention after qualifying for the semi-finals, meaning their campaign is far from over. With the group stage complete, ZESCO Ndola Girls now carry the momentum of an unbeaten run and a perfect record into the knockout phase, while Gaborone United must regroup quickly if they are to defend their COSAFA title.