Ongos Ladies FC is beefing up their squad for the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifiers by bringing in five new players. 

Head coach Shama Gure expressed optimism about their chances to advance to the next round this year. “We are roping in five new players to strengthen the squad. I can’t confirm the names, but we are likely to announce tomorrow (today),” Gure said.

Despite falling short in their debut at this competition in 2021, Ongos Ladies are determined to make a stronger impact this year. “We respect every team in the group, we won’t look down on any team, and we will remain humble, heading into this fixture,” he added.

Ongos Ladies will face Herentals Queens in their first match. This will mark their second appearance at the tournament, while Herentals Queens will make their debut.

Herentals Queens, representing Zimbabwe in this year’s tournament, are drawn in Group A alongside the reigning champions of the Hollywoodbets Super League, University of Western Cape, Ongos Ladies FC, and Zambia’s Green Buffaloes.

Speaking to The Standard, a Zimbabwean publication this week, Herentals Queens’ manager Shylet Chikonyora acknowledged the tough competition, but expressed confidence in her players, and hopes to start the campaign with a victory against Ongos Ladies. 

“It’s a tough group, but I believe we are also tough, and they’re also talking about us wherever they are. We know we have the aptitude to manoeuvre and bring home positive results. Our biggest challenge is the game against UWC, but it’s a good thing it’s coming right at the end after we have played the other two teams,” Chikonyora said this week. 

The tournament this year will be held in Blantyre, Malawi from 15 to 24 August. -mkambukwe@nepc.com.na