ZESCO targeting victory over Gaborone United in CAF WCL COSAFA Qualifiers

ZESCO will be aiming to secure a victory against Gaborone United when the two sides meet in the CAF WCL COSAFA Qualifiers, with coach Katya insisting her team must remain focused despite already reaching the semi-finals.

The Zambian side missed out on the trophy in the 2025 edition of the tournament after losing to the Botswana club. However, Katya says ZESCO’s priority is to collect maximum points from this year’s meeting rather than treat the match as an opportunity for revenge.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, she stressed that the circumstances surrounding the latest fixture were different and that her players would prepare with the same seriousness they would bring to any other game.

“It’s not about revenge. Last year’s game was different and this is another competition. We will prepare accordingly and approach the game as it comes, because they aren’t an easy side. We don’t want to relax because we’re qualified, we want to go all the way.”

ZESCO have already secured their place in the semi-finals, but the outcome of their match against Gaborone United will be important in determining their final position in the group.

If the Zambian team finishes second in the group, they will meet Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the last four. ZESCO defeated Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in last year’s semi-final, but Katya said her players were concentrating on securing top spot rather than considering a possible repeat meeting.

“This is a tournament, you don’t really get to choose who to play against so our focus is to just finish first in this group.”

ZESCO began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Lesotho Defense Force on Saturday. The result was secured despite two of their goals being ruled out for offside.

Katya said the team had worked to ensure those decisions did not affect the players’ confidence during the match. The coaching staff continued to encourage the players to remain composed, and ZESCO eventually held on to claim what she described as a vital win.

The result kept their qualification hopes on track and means the team now enters the Gaborone United match with a semi-final place already confirmed. Even so, Katya made clear that qualification had not reduced ZESCO’s ambition.

The coach wants her side to finish first in Group A and believes that maintaining their intensity will be essential against a Gaborone United team she described as difficult to face.

ZESCO’s meeting with the Botswana side therefore carries significance beyond the memory of last year’s final outcome. For Katya, the immediate objective is to approach the fixture on its own terms, avoid complacency and ensure the team continues its push to go all the way in the competition.

By Nozibusiso Sibiya 24 August 2026