Silver Strikers Ladies yesterday roared to an impressive start in their 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifier campaign following a 2-1 comeback victory over 10-player Mozambican side Costa Dol Sol at Gaborone United Stadium in Botswana.
The Bankers served the best for last as they recovered from a goal down with defender Ireen Khumalo and substitute striker Grace Kakangula scoring in the second-half to give the National Bank of Malawi Women’s Premiership champions a winning start in their Group B opener.
Up next on their schedule are South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in their second group fixture on August 30. They will conclude the group stage assignments against Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini on September 1.
In a match monitored on Cosafa Television, Silver Ladies conceded barely a minute into the game when Costa Dol Sol striker Lucia Leila Jose pounced on a degensive error to break the deadlock.
Silver got the numerical advantage after Costa Dol Sol were reduced to 10 players in the 62nd minute following a red card to Marlene Janeiro, who fouled midfielder Madyina Ngulube.
Seven minutes later, Silver Ladies restored parity as Khumalo hit a direct free-kick that clipped the roof of the net.
Then, in the 85th minute Kakangula, who was in the field for less than five minutes as a substitute, put the Lilongwe-based side in the lead after she was left alone in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.
In the starting line-up, Silver Ladies featured all their five players that were part of the Scorchers historic journey at the just-ended 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finals in Morocco, Khumalo, Chikondi Gondwe, Tionge Phiri, Madyina Ngulube and Debroah Henry.
Silver Ladies head coach Patricio Kulemeka described the win as a big boost in their campaign.
“A win in the first game of the tournament is very important and I am proud of the girls for making this happen,” he said.
