Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will kick off their 2025 COSAFA CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers campaign on Friday afternoon when they lock horns with Malawi’s Ntopwa FC at the AW Muller Stadium.
The reigning Hollywoodbets Super League Champions, who have already lifted the regional crown in 2021 and 2023, are determined to begin this year’s journey on a strong note as they target a fifth qualification to the continental showpiece.
Forward Melinda Kgadiete, who was crowned Best Player of the COSAFA Tournament in 2022 and finished as Top Scorer with five goals in the 2021 edition, emphasized the importance of starting well and making the most of their chances:
“The mood is great within the squad. Everyone is looking forward to stepping onto the pitch and making the team proud. The atmosphere in camp is very positive, and we are focused on giving our very best. This is a must-win tournament, and our mentality is clear – we need to approach every single game as if it is a final. That means converting every opportunity that comes our way, staying sharp, and ensuring we maintain our high standards. We know what it takes to win this competition, and we are fully committed to doing it again.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija highlighted the importance of composure and the need to set the tone early in the competition:
“Everyone in the team is excited to be here and to compete once again. Of course, there are always nerves at the beginning because winning this competition would mean so much to us as a team and as individuals. But those nerves are positive because they push us to perform at our very best. Our focus is on starting really well because the first match is always crucial. Yes, we have won this tournament twice before, but that does not mean we take anything for granted. We still need to show everyone why we are the champions and why we deserve to lift the trophy again.”
With a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will be looking to assert their dominance early in Group A, which also features Beauties FC from Namibia and Zesco Ndola Girls from Zambia. In Group B, last year’s finalists Gaborone United Ladies FC of Botswana will take on Young Buffaloes from Eswatini and Kick4Life from Lesotho, while Group C is headlined by the seeded side Herentals Queens of Zimbabwe, who will face CD Costa do Sol from Mozambique and Olympic de Moroni from Comoros.
The match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Ntopwa FC will take place on Friday, 22 August 2025, at 15H00 at the AW Muller Stadium in Johannesburg.
