Silver Strikers Ladies make history with CAF semi-final berth
Silver Strikers Ladies produced a statement performance to book their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier, brushing aside Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs 5-1 at Gaborone United Stadium in emphatic fashion.
The Malawian debutants set the tone early and never let up, with Grace Kakangula breaking the deadlock inside two minutes to settle any early nerves and hand the Bankers the perfect start.
Silver Strikers continued to dominate possession and territory throughout the first half, doubling their advantage right on the stroke of half-time when Carlo Mathyola struck in first-half stoppage time to send her side in 2-0 up at the break.
The Bankers picked up exactly where they left off after the restart. Gladys Banda punished a defensive mix-up to make it 3-0 in the 50th minute, before Mathyola grabbed her second of the afternoon just five minutes later to further extend the lead.
The Silver Strikers forward wasn’t finished there, completing her hat-trick in the 63rd minute to put the tie beyond any doubt and spark wild celebrations among the travelling Malawian contingent — a standout individual display capping off a ruthless attacking performance.
Nsingizini pulled a consolation goal back in the 74th minute, but it did little to dampen the mood as Silver Strikers cruised through the closing stages to seal a comprehensive 5-1 victory.
The result sends Silver Strikers Ladies through to the semi-finals as Group B runners-up, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Zambia’s Zesco Ndola Girls, who topped Group A.
The achievement marks a landmark moment for Malawian women’s football, with Silver Strikers becoming the first Malawian side ever to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier in their debut campaign.
They’ve also etched their names into the history books as the first Malawian team to win two matches in the competition after progressing through the group stage.
Attention now turns to a blockbuster semi-final showdown against Zesco Ndola Girls, with a place in the final on the line — and for a Silver Strikers side already making history, there could be plenty more to come.