UWC top group to advance in CAF WCL COSAFA Qualifiers

After a goalless first half, it took just seconds after the restart for Noxolo Cesane to break the deadlock and give the South Africans the lead.

The students gave themselves a cushion after the hour-mark as Bongeka Gamede doubled the scoreline as she buried a loose ball inside the box following a corner kick.

The match did take a twist with less than 10 minutes remaining on the clock when Herentals pulled one back to make for a tense finish in Blantyre.

However, that proved to be a consolation as UWC held out for a win, which has earned them passage to the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers semi-final as Group A winners.

This came after FC Ongos of Namibia pulled off a huge upset by beating 2022 COSAFA winners Green Buffaloes of Zambia 2-1 in the earlier encounter on Monday.

UWC and Herentals both finish on six points apiece, with the South Africans ahead on head-to-head, while they will have to wait until Tuesday to learn their last-four opponents, which will be the runners-up in Group B.

Coach Thinasonke Mbuli's charges will need to win their remaining two matches – including the final, to join Hollywoodbets Super League counterparts Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the CAF Women's Champions League final tournament later this year.

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