Millennium Online Radio | Hastings Wadza Kasonga - Blantyre | Silver Strikers Ladies have made history by becoming the first Malawian club to win their opening match in the CAF Women’s Championship qualifiers – COSAFA Cup, after coming from behind to beat Mozambican giants Costa do Sol 2-1 at the Gaborone United Stadium in Botswana on Friday.

The NBM Women’s Premiership champions conceded in the opening minute, but fought back strongly after Costa do Sol were reduced to 10 players shortly after the hour mark.

Ireen Khumalo levelled the score in the 68th minute with a direct free-kick before substitute Grace Kakangula scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute to seal a memorable victory for the Bankers.

Head coach Patricio Kulemeka started all five players who represented the Malawi Scorchers at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco — Khumalo, Tionge Phiri, Madyina Ngulube, Chikondi Gondwe and Deborah Henry.

Costa do Sol took advantage of a defensive lapse to open the scoring through Lucia Mozambique in the first minute. Silver Strikers responded, with Linda Manda forcing a save from the Mozambican goalkeeper in the 10th minute.

The Bankers started the second half strongly, creating pressure through Henry, Manda and Yamikani Mhango, but struggled to find the equaliser.

Their breakthrough came after Costa do Sol defender Marlene Janeiro was sent off for a bad tackle on Khumalo. Although Khumalo initially sent the resulting free-kick over the bar, she made no mistake with another direct free-kick in the 68th minute to make it 1-1.

Silver Strikers continued to dominate in search of a winner, despite losing Tionge Phiri to injury. Mphatso Gondwe replaced her, while Gladys Banda later came on for Henry.

Kakangula then completed the comeback in the 86th minute, securing three valuable points for the Malawian champions.

Kulemeka praised his players for their fighting spirit and said the team would use the victory as motivation ahead of their next match against Mamelodi Sundowns.

“We conceded early which was bad, but we did not look down and fought for a win. We have seen a lot which needs to be improved so that we can also better in our upcoming match because our plan is to reach the finals of the tournament,” said Kulemeka.

The victory gives Silver Strikers Ladies three points at the top of their group, although their position could change after Mamelodi Sundowns take on Nsingizini Hotspur in the later fixture.