Green Buffaloes, Herental Queens off to a positive start in Malawi
Zimbabwe’s Herental Queens and Zambia’s Green Buffaloes got off to positive starts on Day 01 of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers in Malawi on Thursday, 15 August.
Blantyre’s Mpira Stadium played host to the opening afternoon of the qualifiers where Queens comfortably overcame Namibia’s FC Ongos, who were making their debut in the tournament with a comfortable 3-1 win.
Maudy Mafututse opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Tumbare Egness extended the lead before the break.
Coming back into the second half, the Zimbabweans remained dominant and were duly rewarded in the 70thminute after Melody Chikore fired a well struck volley to make it three and put matters beyond reach for the debutants.
Later in the afternoon, another debutant in South Africa’s University of Western Cape took to the field against former champions, Green Buffaloes.
Despite having a share of the possession, the South Africans failed to make use of their ball possession and were made to pay dearly by Natasha Nanyangwe who came on a s a substitute to fire the former champions into victory in the 76th minute.
In this second game, the South African’s had a lion’s share of possession and instantly endeared themselves to the fans with their brand of attacking football.
The action continues on Friday when Botswana’s, Gaborone United, face União Desportiva de Lichinga of Mozambique, followed by a clash between Malawi’s debutants, Ascent Academy, against Young Buffaloes from Eswatini.
The overall winner of the 10-day tournament will book a place at the CAF Women’s Champions League’s finals - joining current African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa.
Day 01 Results | 15 August
Group A Herentals Queens 3 (Mafuruse 20’, Tumbare 29’, Chikore 70’) FC Ongos 1 (Kateta 90)
University of the Western Cape 0 Green Buffaloes 1 (Nanyangwe 76’)
Group B Fixtures | 16 AugustGaborone United vs UD de Lichinga (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Ascent Academy vs Young Buffaloes (KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)