Zimbabwe’s Black Rhinos Queens proved too strong for Green Buffaloes from Zambia in a CAF Women’s Champions League qualifying match for the Cosafa zone.
Rhinos defeated Buffaloes 2-0 in a Group B match played behind closed doors of King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Thursday afternoon.
The first half ended goalless, but there was no doubt as to which side had the lions’ share of possession.
Rhinos finally broke the deadlock with a goal from on-loan midfielder Marjory Nyaumwe in the 60th minute.
Minutes later, the Zimbabwean side made two substitutions whereas Buffaloes responded by pulling out Masumo for Benai in the 69th minute.
It was the changes of the Zimbabwean side that paid dividends as striker Christabel Katona added the second goal in the 73rd minute.
Rhinos held on to their lead and earn their dream start to the inaugural championship.
The group for Buffaloes and Rhinos also comprise TURA from Namibia whereas Group A has four teams who opened the campaign on Thursday at the same venue.
Next, Rhinos face TURA on Sunday and a draw would be enough for the Zimbabweans to qualify for the next round.
In Group A, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies thumped their Lesotho Defence Force counterparts 6-0 on Thursday afternoon, hours after Double Ladies Action from Botswana had hammered Manzini Wanderers from Eswatini 3-0.
Top two teams in group B and those from Group A will make the semi-finals cut.
The Cosafa region overall champion will qualify for the Women’s Champions League finals, joining teams from other CAF zones later this year.
Line-ups:
Buffaloes: Mbwana, Phiri, Mulenga, Phiri, Chama, Nthala, Pumulo, Benai, Chewe, Musase, Tembo
Rhinos: Mudyiwa, Mpofu, Mujura, Mandaza, Chibanda, Nyaumwe, Katona, Makore, Madotsa, Neshamba, Tumbare