Green Buffaloes making history at the CAFCWL COSAFA qualifiers
Green Buffaloes will be hoping to regain the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier crown they won in 2022 when they compete for a record fourth time at the 2024 edition in Blantyre, Malawi from August 14-25.
With defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns having automatically qualified for the continental finals as holders, Buffaloes become the only club to appear in all four of the regional qualifier tournaments since they were first played in 2021.
They took the title two years ago when they defeated Sundowns on penalties in the final following a hard-fought 0-0 draw and have made the knockout rounds on each of their three previous visits to the competition. The Zambians lost their 2021 semifinal to 1-0 Sundowns and again were defeated by the South African club in the last four in 2023.
Given their experience and quality, they are perhaps the favourites going into the qualifiers after featuring at the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco. The army-backed side exited in the group stages on that occasion.
The Copper Queens have been in fantastic form in recent years with two Olympic Games appearances and a trip to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, highlighting the quality of players in the country.
Buffaloes have done much to foster Zambian talent, having won the Zambia Super Division for the last four seasons in a row. The team dominated the Lusaka league in the years before the national competition was created.
The Zambians are led by experienced coach Carol Kanyemba. Kanyemba will coach the national Under-17 at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup later this year.
Goalkeeper Ngambo Musole, defenders Lushomo Mweemba, Esther Siamfuko, Diana Banda, and forward Kabange Mupopo are all part of the Zambia squad at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Many others in their squad have international experience.
Green Buffaloes open their campaign against South African debutants University of the Western Cape on August 15. Then comes a clash with Zimbabwe’s Herentals Queens. Two days later they meet FC Ongos of Namibia in the final pool game.
