Silver Strikers Ladies open CAF campaign with thrilling 2-1 comeback win

Silver Strikers Ladies produced a stunning turnaround to beat Mozambique’s Costa Do Sol 2-1 in their opening CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers fixture at the Gaborone United Stadium in Botswana on Friday.

It could hardly have started worse for the Malawian side. Costa Do Sol forward Lucia Moçambique fired her side ahead inside just 18 seconds – one of the quickest goals you’ll see in continental competition – leaving Silver Strikers with a mountain to climb from the off.

But there was no panic in the Silver Strikers ranks. They steadied themselves, grew into the game, and came out for the second half with real purpose.

The breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute, Ireen Khumalo stepping up to fire home a free-kick and level the scores – the goal reigniting belief among the Malawian side that there was more to come.

From there, Silver Strikers took control. Chikondi Gondwe and Madyina Nguluwe were excellent in the middle of the park, winning the midfield battle and giving their side the platform to push for a winner.

That winner arrived with four minutes remaining. Grace Kakangula was the player to deliver it, slotting home in the 86th minute to complete a memorable fightback and seal a 2-1 win.

It’s the perfect start for Silver Strikers Ladies, who move to three points in Group B on their maiden appearance in the competition.

But the tests are only going to get tougher from here. Up next for Silver Strikers are South African heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns, before a meeting with eSwatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs in what’s shaping up to be a fiercely contested Group B campaign.

On the evidence of Friday’s comeback, though, Silver Strikers Ladies will head into those games full of confidence – and looking to carry that second-half momentum all the way to the next stage of qualifying.