Malawi flag carriers Kukoma Ntopwa Women say they are ready for this afternoon’s CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifiers Group A opener against two-time African champions and hosts Mamelodi Sundowns despite enduring a long trip to South Africa.
The team left Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on Wednesday evening for Nairobi, Kenya after some flight booking hiccups.
It arrived in South Africa yesterday afternoon through OR Tambo International Airport.
Apart from overcoming fatigue, Ntopwa had little time to familiarise with the University of Johannesburg’s AW Muller Stadium before their match that kicks off at 3pm today.
This is the team’s second appearance in the Cosafa Qualifiers following their elimination in the group stages in September 2023 after losing 4-0 to Botswana’s Double Action Ldies.
Their opponents, Sundowns, have won two of the CAF Champions League’s four editions since 2021 and are yet to lose regional qualifiers in normal play.
But Ntopwa founder and technical director Isaac Jomo Osman yesterday said his charges are not intimidated by Sundowns’ incredible record.
“We are not tourists, but serious contenders. We might be considered underdogs ahead of this showdown, but we will put up a gallant fight,” he said.
Osman added that they are also geared up for their other group matches in the 10-team qualifiers against Beauties FC of Namibia on August 24 and Zesco Ndola Girls FC of Zambia on August 26.
He said the mood in his 20-player squad is electric.
Ntopwa bank hopes on a number of Scorchers’ players such as goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, defender Rose Alufandika, midfielder Funny Magombo and forward Saliva January.
However, Mamelodi Sundowns Women defender Thato Letsoso told the club’s website that they head into the qualifiers with confidence as they look to claim a third regional title march on to the continental finals.
Sundowns have never lost a game in the regional qualifiers and have reached finals in every event they have played in, though Zamabia’s Green Buffaloes pipped them on post-match penalties in the 2022 decider.
“We are in a good place mentally and physically,” the club’s website quoted Letsoso.
National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adellaide Migogo yesterday said they hope the girls will fight to be counted.
“This tournament is a platform for talent exposure to top leagues across the globe,” she said.
Sundowns won the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021 and 2023 while Morocco’s AS FAR Women did it in 2022 and DR Congo’s TP Mazembe are the reigning champions.
