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Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies marched into the semifinals of the 2025 COSAFA CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers after securing a resilient 1-0 win over Zambia’s Zesco Ndola Girls at the AW Muller Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A decisive goal in the 18th minute from the ever-reliable Boitumelo Rabale proved to be the difference in a game that tested the Brazilians’ character and determination.
Midfielder Nonhlanhla Mthandi admitted that the team had to dig deep but expressed immense pride in the group’s response.
“We came up against very tough opponents who pushed us right from the beginning of the match. Zesco were well-prepared, physical, and tried to disrupt our rhythm, but we managed to stay focused and disciplined. It was not an easy game at all, but we stuck together and got the job done. I am really proud of how the team handled the pressure, because matches like these are never just about skill – they are about mentality and determination. To come away with a clean sheet and three points shows that we are prepared to fight for every inch in this tournament.”
Midfielder Kholosa Biyana echoed those sentiments, highlighting both the challenges and the positives from the match while stressing the importance of teamwork.
“We had a great game overall, even though we started a little slow and had to settle into the rhythm. Zesco came at us hard, but we remained calm and stuck to our plan. The most important thing today is that we found the back of the net early and managed to keep a clean sheet. Scoring while not conceding is always a sign of growth for us because it reflects perseverance, strong organization, and commitment to defending as a unit. Six points from two games is a fantastic return and gives us confidence heading into the next stage.”
The victory means Sundowns Ladies remain at the top of Group A with two wins from two games and are yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
Up next for Sundowns Ladies is their third and final match against Beauties FC (Namibia) on 26th August 2025 at 15:00, which will also be played at the AW Muller Stadium in Johannesburg.
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.