Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies thrash Gaborone United to reach COSAFA final

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have reached the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers after defeating defending champions Gaborone United 5-0 in Gaborone on Thursday.

The emphatic victory at Gaborone United Stadium means Sundowns will face ZESCO Ndola Girls in Saturday’s final, after the Zambian side beat Silver Strikers 2-1 in the other semi-final.

The 2026 final will be a repeat of last season’s semi-final, when ZESCO Girls eliminated the two-time African champions. The winners of Saturday’s match will represent COSAFA at the continental finals later this year.

Sundowns head coach Godfrey Sapula made several changes to the team that defeated Costa Do Sol in their final group-stage match, but his side quickly established control against the hosts.

Gaborone United produced the first effort on target after 10 minutes, although Keitumetse Dithebe’s free-kick failed to trouble the Sundowns defence. The South African side then increased the pressure, with Noxolo Cesane shooting wide in the 16th minute.

Refilwe Tholakele missed another opportunity three minutes later, but she made amends shortly afterwards. The Botswana international rose unchallenged to head in a Karabo Dhlamini cross and give Sundowns the lead.

Dhlamini almost added a second in the 22nd minute, but her attempt was comfortably saved by the Gaborone United goalkeeper.

Tholakele had another chance to complete a first-half brace in the 37th minute when she was picked out by Isabella Ludwig, but she sent her shot over the crossbar. Sundowns’ pressure eventually told in first-half injury time, when Nonhlanhla Mthandi doubled their advantage.

Neither side made an immediate change after the interval. Ludwig registered Sundowns’ first notable effort of the second half eight minutes after the restart, although her tame shot was easily dealt with.

Substitute Nthabiseng Majiya came close to scoring the third on the hour mark, but her header missed the goal by a narrow margin.

The third goal did arrive in the 66th minute, with Tholakele finding the net for the second time after a poor clearance from a Gaborone United defender inside the penalty area.

Tholakele had two further opportunities to complete her hat-trick during the final 20 minutes, but could not convert either chance. She has nevertheless scored five goals in the tournament and now leads the competition’s scoring charts.

Ludwig added Sundowns’ fourth in the 77th minute after taking advantage of an unsuccessful rebound by Ronnel Donnelly.

Wendy Shongwe completed the rout in the 90th minute, sealing a comprehensive victory for the Hollywoodbets Super League side and ending Gaborone United’s defence of their title.