Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies stormed into the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier with an emphatic 5-0 semi-final victory over defending champions Gaborone United at the Gaborone United Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana on Thursday, 27 August 2026.
Refilwe Tholakele led the charge with two goals, while Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Isabella Ludwig and Wendy Shongwe completed the rout as the two-time African champions silenced a vociferous home crowd and denied the hosts a third successive final appearance.
The Botswana international opened the scoring in the 21st minute, heading home unmarked at the back post after Karabo Dhlamini won possession in midfield and released her into space down the flank.
Mthandi doubled the advantage on the stroke of halftime, controlling the ball 15 yards from goal before picking her spot and curling a precise finish into the corner to leave the hosts with a mountain to climb.
Sundowns made certain of the result in the 67th minute when a defensive mistake allowed Tholakele to pounce on possession and fire past the goalkeeper. The strike was her fifth of the campaign, moving her clear at the top of the Golden Boot standings, and it also marked the 50th goal of the tournament in Gaborone.
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Ludwig added the fourth in the 77th minute, latching onto a loose ball in the box to net her third of the competition, before substitute Shongwe rounded off the scoring in stoppage time with her second of the tournament. Tholakele was named player of the match after a commanding individual display.
Gaborone United had reached the final in each of the previous two editions and enjoyed passionate backing from the stands throughout the evening, but the hosts rarely threatened an assured Sundowns defence that has been breached just once in the tournament.
The result extended Sundowns’ remarkable record in the regional showpiece. Since making their debut in 2021, the Tshwane side have lost only once in ordinary time at the qualifier, and they arrive at Saturday’s final with five wins from five matches in Botswana, 19 goals scored and just one conceded.
Their campaign began with an 8-0 demolition of Nsingizini Hotspurs, followed by a 3-0 win over Silver Strikers and victory over Costa do Sol to seal top spot in Group B with a perfect record, before Thursday’s ruthless dismissal of the defending champions confirmed their status as the team to beat.
Standing between Sundowns and the title are ZESCO Ndola Girls, who edged Silver Strikers 2-1 in the first semi-final of the day. Penelope Mulubwa and Charity Mubanga struck early for the Zambians before Carolyne Mathyola pulled a goal back for the Malawians, who pushed hard but could not find an equaliser.
Like Sundowns, the Zambians arrive at the decider with a perfect record of five wins from five matches, having topped Group A ahead of the hosts before holding firm in a tense semi-final finish.
The final carries a compelling storyline. ZESCO knocked Sundowns out at the semi-final stage of last year’s competition, inflicting that solitary ordinary-time defeat, and last year’s runners-up now stand between the South Africans and a third regional crown.
Sundowns lifted the title in 2021 and 2023 and finished runners-up in 2022 and 2024, and their firepower in Botswana makes them favourites when the sides meet at 18h00 on Saturday, 29 August 2026. The winner books a place at the continental CAF Women’s Champions League finals later in the year.
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Silver Strikers and Gaborone United contest the third-place playoff earlier in the afternoon as the tournament concludes in the Botswana capital, with both sides determined to end their campaigns on the podium.
The CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier Finals Day on Saturday 29 August 2026
15h00: Silver Strikers vs. Gaborone United (Gaborone United Stadium)
18h00: ZESCO Ndola Girls vs. Mamelodi Sundowns (Gaborone United Stadium)
All times SAST
Mamelodi Sundowns Starting XI
1 Andile Dlamini (Goalkeeper)
5 Khutso Pila
6 Noxolo Cesane
8 Isabella Ludwig
12 Bambanani Mbane
15 Lelona Daweti
19 Kholosa Biyana
21 Nonhlanhla Mthandi
22 Lebohang Ramalepe (Captain)
25 Karabo Dhlamini
26 Refilwe Tholakele
Substitutes
2 Tiisetso Makhubela
7 Modikanalo Mashigo
10 Boitumelo Rabale
11 Melinda Kgadiete
13 Oratile Mokwena
14 Nthabiseng Majiya
16 Kgomotso Mussimango
Coach: Zolile Sapula
Gaborone United Starting XI
14 Tlamelo Pheresi (Captain)
2 Kesegofetse Mochawe
3 Nancy Baeletsi
4 Desiree Kenyaditswe
7 Maungo Maponga
9 Keitumetse Dithebe
18 Serati Modisenyane
19 Lorato Motlogelwa
20 Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse
23 Obonetse Rathari
26 Lesego Radiakanyo
Substitutes
1 Kefilwe Tafa
5 Oteng Bonang
6 Peggy Manewe
11 Yaone Modise
12 Gonayamodimo Macha
13 Thando Boitshepo
17 Segakolodi Didukanyane
Coach: Khalid Niyonzima
Main Photo Caption: Refilwe Tholakele scored twice as Mamelodi Sundowns beat defending champions Gaborone United 5-0 in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier semi-final at the Gaborone United Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana on Thursday, 27 August 2026. All Photos: COSAFA Media
Photo 2 Caption: Isabella Ludwig added the fourth in the 77th minute, latching onto a loose ball in the box to net her third of the competition
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