MBABANE – Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies are gearing up for a daunting continental debut after being drawn against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in Group B of the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Zone qualifiers.
The draw, conducted in Gaborone on Tuesday, also sees the two-time African champions clash with Mozambique’s Costa do Sol and Malawian outfit Silver Strikers. The regional qualifiers will run from August 20–29, 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana.
For Nsingizini Hotspurs Ladies, who ended Young Buffaloes’ dominance to claim their maiden Eswatini Women’s Football League title, opening their campaign against the South African powerhouse presents a formidable introduction to regional football.
Reacting to the draw, Nsingizini Head Coach Tobias Ntuli conceded that facing the Chloorkop side is a massive test, but insisted his team is already preparing for the challenge.
“This is a tough draw and we are already preparing for our first game against Mamelodi Sundowns,” Ntuli said. “Mozambican side Costa do Sol are also regulars in the tournament, but we trust our process going into the competition.”
Sundowns Ladies enter the tournament as heavy favourites, having claimed the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League crown in 2021 before lifting their second title in 2023.
Despite the gap in experience, the former Vovovo FC mentor remains optimistic about testing his side against Southern Africa’s premier women’s club.
“We knew from the moment we won the league that we would be competing with the best in the region, but we believe in ourselves,” Ntuli added.
To reinforce their squad ahead of the trip to Gaborone, the Shiselweni-based side has re-signed Lesotho international Nthabeleng Potsane to cushion the departure of key international talent.
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