Malawi’s representatives Ascent Soccer Academy in the CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifying tournament have been drawn in Group B alongside Gaborone United (Botswana), União Desportiva de Lichinga (Mozambique) and Young Buffaloes (Eswatini).
This follows a draw on Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa for the tournament which Malawi will host from August 15-24 at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe, Blantyre.
The Group A comprises University of Western Cape (South Africa), 2022 champions Green Buffaloes of Zambia, Herentals Queens (Zimbabwe) and FC Ongos from Namibia.
Ascent Soccer Academy, Gaborone United and União Desportiva de Lichinga are debutants in the competition while Young Buffaloes are competing for the third time.
A statement from Cosafa.com said the top two teams in each of the groups advance to the semifinals, with only the winner of the competition advancing to the continental finals later this year, where two-time African champions Mamelodi Sundowns have already qualified as holders.
The winners from the tournament will join two-time African champions Mamelodi Sundowns who have already qualified for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League.
Ascent Soccer Academy director Thom Nkorongo in an interview said although Group A is regarded as tough one will be close to call.
Ascent contributed seven players to the Scorchers’ Cosafa Women’s Championship winning squad, namely Cosafa Awards Most Promising Player accolade winner Leticia Chinyamula, two-time Malawi Player of the Year Rose Kabzere, midfielder Faith Chinzimu, centre-back Alinafe Majora, Marium Mnenula, Maureen Kenneth and Maggie Chavula.
