* In 3rd place play-off of the CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA Qualifier Botswana 2026
* First goal conceded 14 minutes after the halftime break (59’) before the next in 75’, 81’ and 88’
By Duncan Mlanjira
Having impressed by being the first Malawian club to qualify for the knockout stage of the CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA Qualifier, Silver Strikers Ladies narrowly lost 1-2 in their semi-final match against Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls on Thursday.
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And the Bankers had the chance to bring a bronze medal in the 3rd place play-off against hosts Botswana’s Gaborone United Ladies but they broke down tremendously in the second half to lose 0-4.
They played out 0-0 up to the half time break and things took a wrong turn soon after conceding 14 minutes from resumption in the 59th.
Silver Strikers Media reports that goalkeeper Ireen Sibande made a fantastic save of Gaborone’s Jessica Maponga but the rebound landed at the feet of Malinga who easily slotted it home.
Gaborone United doubled the lead in the 75th through Jessica Modise and following a VAR review, a penalty was awarded to Gaborone United in the 81’, which Modise converted sending Ireen Sibande the wrong way.
With two minutes to regulation time, the Silver Ladies conceded the 4th — again by Jessica Modise to claim a hat-trick.
Silver Strikers Ladies, champions of the NBM Women’s Premiership 2025, are the third Malawian team to participate in the regional qualifiers after Ntopwa Women and Ascent Soccer, who hosted the event last year.
They first beat Mozambique’s Costa do Sol 2-1, lost 0-4 to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns before winning their last group match 5-1 against fellow debutants, eSwatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs.
In that game, Carolyne Mathyola, claimed a hat-trick. Other scorers for Silver Strikers were Grace Kakangula with two goals and Gladys Banda and Malawi international Ireen Khumalo with one apiece — a total of goals scored and 12 conceded.
Carolyne Mathyola