Zimbabwean league champions Herentals Queens face a tough path to regional glory after being handed a uncompromising draw in Group A for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifiers, held in Gaborone, Botswana this afternoon.
The qualifying tournament will be played in Gaborone from August 20–29, where Herentals will contend with host nation champions Gaborone United Ladies.
The Batswana outfit enter the tournament determined to defend their crown on home turf—adding a distinct layer of jeopardy for their visiting rivals.
Compounding the challenge, Herentals have also been pitted against Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls, agonizingly denied the title last year following a tense penalty shootout in the final.
The group is rounded out by Lesotho Defence Force, a side returning to the fold bolstered by the priceless experience of previous continental campaigns.
For Herentals Queens, this third appearance in Southern Africa’s premier club competition represents both an arduous trial and a shot at redemption.
The club made a striking debut in 2024, surging to the semi-finals before falling to Gaborone United—a run that remains their high-water mark after a disappointing group-stage exit last season.
Elsewhere, Group B carries its own intrigue, headlined by two-time continental champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa. The heavyweights must nevertheless navigate a tricky group featuring Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs, Mozambique’s Costa do Sol, and Malawi’s Silver Strikers.
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Only the top two sides from each group will progress to the semi-finals, with the ultimate tournament victor securing Southern Africa’s coveted solitary berth at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals later this year.
Having earned their ticket through last season’s domestic Women Premier Soccer League triumph, Herentals Queens now face an uncompromising test of their credentials on the grander stage.
