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Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 1 September 2026
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Botswanan press · Organization

ZESCO Ndola Girls

ZESCO Ndola Girls — Zambian women's football club competing in CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA qualifier, runners-up in 2026 final.

2026-08-042026-09-01

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Daily News Botswana

    The Botswana international finished the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier as the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals, including both goals in Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ 2-1 victory over Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls in the final.

    Tholakele golden run carries Sundowns to CAF
  3. Mmegi

    giants in the semi-final played in the GU Stadium, ending their hopes of reaching a third successive final and retaining the crown they won last year.Red Roses will instead face Malawi's Silver Strikers in Saturday's third-place playoff, while Sundowns will meet ZESCO Ndola Girls

    Red Roses denied dream home final
  4. Mmegi

    Their momentum was checked in the group decider when ZESCO Ndola Girls claimed a 2-0 victory to finish top of Group A.The team's head coach Khalid Ninyonzima, however, saw value in the setback, describing it as a “good test” ahead of the knockout stages.

    Red Roses' title defence faces its biggest test
  5. Daily News Botswana

    The GU Ladies, alias Red Roses, advanced to the last four as Group A runners up despite ending the group stage with a 2-0 defeat to Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls on Monday.

    GU title defence faces stern test against Sundowns
  6. Mmegi

    Both teams went into the encounter already eliminated from the competition after reigning champions, Gaborone United's (GU) Red Roses and ZESCO Ndola Girls secured the group’s two semi-final places by winning their opening two matches.

    Herentals salvage pride as LDF take lessons
  7. Mmegi

    The defending champions were beaten 2-0 by ZESCO in a game played at GU Stadium last night, he result that saw the Zambian side finish top of Group A as the local champions settle for the runners up spot.

    Red Roses tested as Sundowns clash looms
  8. Mmegi

    The result gives the hosts an important three points, but the narrow victory also exposed areas coach Khalid Ninyonzima will want corrected before they face tougher opposition in Herentals Queens and last year’s finalists ZESCO Ndola Girls.LDF stunned the defending champions in t

    Red Roses survive scare as ZESCO make early statement
  9. Mmegi

    The tournament runs from August 20 to 29 at the GU Stadium, with Botswana hosting the regional qualifiers for the first time.GU will be looking to defend the title they won last year after beating Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls on penalties in the final.

    Red Roses, rivals turn up the heat
  10. Daily News Botswana

    Meanwhile, defending champions, Gaborone United Ladies will face a familiar opponent in ZESCO Ndola Girls, as they begin their CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifier title defence on home soil from August 20 to 29.

    Botswana stands to gain from CAF Women qualifiers
  11. Daily News Botswana

    The hosts will share Group A alongside Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls, Zimbabwe’s Herentals Queens and the Lesotho Defence Force, with Gaborone United contesting the tournament’s opening match against Lesotho.

    GU ladies brace for tough COSAFA qualifier
Sport

Tholakele scores seven goals, wins Golden Boot at CAF qualifier

The News

Botswana international Refilwe Tholakele finished the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifier as the tournament's leading scorer with seven goals, including both goals in Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies' 2-1 victory over Zambia's ZESCO Ndola Girls in the final, earning the Golden Boot and helping Sundowns secure the COSAFA region's place at the CAF Women's Champions League finals.

31 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Yesterday

  1. Tholakele scores seven goals, wins Golden Boot at CAF qualifier

    Botswana international Refilwe Tholakele finished the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifier as the tournament's leading scorer with seven goals, including both goals in Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies' 2-1 victory over Zambia's ZESCO Ndola Girls in the final, earning the Golden Boot and helping Sundowns secure the COSAFA region's place at the CAF Women's Champions League finals.

    31 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Thursday 27 August

  1. Red Roses lose 5-0 to Sundowns in Women's Championship semi-final

    Defending champions Red Roses were defeated 5-0 by South African side Sundowns in the semi-final at GU Stadium, ending their bid for a third successive final. Red Roses will now face Malawi's Silver Strikers in the third-place playoff, while Sundowns play ZESCO Ndola Girls in the final for the region's CAF Women's Champions League place.

    27 August 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Red Roses face Sundowns in women's football semi-final today

    Botswana's Red Roses, defending champions, face South African side Sundowns in today's semi-final of the regional qualifiers at GU Stadium, with the winner advancing toward the CAF Women's Champions League. Red Roses reached the last four after victories over Lesotho Defence Force and Herentals Queens, though they lost their group decider to ZESCO Ndola Girls.

    27 August 2026 · Mmegi

Wednesday 26 August

  1. Gaborone United faces Sundowns in CAF Women's Champions League semi-final

    Defending champions Gaborone United Ladies advanced to the semi-final of the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers as Group A runners-up despite a 2-0 loss to Zambia's ZESCO Ndola Girls, and will face South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns today with a place in Saturday's final at stake. Sundowns have been equally dominant in Group B, opening with an 8-0 win and defeating Malawi's Silver Strikers 3-0.

    26 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Herentals beat LDF 1-0 in tournament consolation match

    The Zimbabwean champions defeated LDF 1-0 in the final Group A round to finish third, while LDF ended bottom of the group. Both teams had already been eliminated from the competition after Gaborone United and ZESCO Ndola Girls secured the semi-final places.

    25 August 2026 · Mmegi

  2. GU football team loses to ZESCO ahead of tournament semi-final

    Defending champions GU were defeated 2-0 by Zambian side ZESCO at GU Stadium, finishing runners-up in Group A. Coach Niyonzima described the loss as a valuable test ahead of the semi-final stage of the tournament.

    25 August 2026 · Mmegi

Thursday 20 August

  1. Red Roses win despite early LDF goal; ZESCO make strong start

    The Red Roses secured a narrow victory but exposed defensive vulnerabilities against LDF, who scored in the 16th minute. Coach Khalid Ninyonzima attributed his players' struggle to anxiety and pressure, with tougher matches against Herentals Queens and ZESCO Ndola Girls ahead.

    20 August 2026 · Mmegi

Friday 14 August

  1. Botswana hosts regional football qualifiers for first time

    The tournament runs from August 20 to 29 at the GU Stadium, with Botswana hosting the regional qualifiers for the first time. GU will be looking to defend the title they won last year after beating Zambia's ZESCO Ndola Girls on penalties.

    14 August 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Botswana to host CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA qualifier

    Botswana will host the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA qualifier from August 20 to 29, becoming the third country to stage the tournament. Defending champions Gaborone United Ladies will compete in Group A alongside teams from Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.

    14 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Thursday 6 August

  1. Gaborone United faces Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho in COSAFA qualifier

    Gaborone United Ladies FC will host the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifier from August 20–29, drawn in Group A with Zambia's ZESCO Ndola Girls, Zimbabwe's Herentals Queens, and Lesotho Defence Force. GU will play the tournament's opening match against Lesotho, while South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns anchor Group B.

    6 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Red Roses drawn with Herentals, ZESCO, LDF in title defence

    The Red Roses have been drawn in Group A with Zimbabwe's Herentals Queens, Zambia's ZESCO Ndola Girls, and Lesotho Defence Force for their title defence. ZESCO Ndola Girls will seek revenge after losing last year's final to GU on penalties, while Herentals Queens arrives as one of Zimbabwe's strongest clubs.

    4 August 2026 · Mmegi

ZESCO Ndola Girls — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute