Sports

Red Roses survive scare as ZESCO make early statement

Kabelo Boranabi | Thursday August 20, 2026 20:00

Red Roses survived an early scare before rallying to beat Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) 2-1 in their opening CAF Women’s Champions League. PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
 
Red Roses survived an early scare before rallying to beat Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) 2-1 in their opening CAF Women’s Champions League. PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

The result gives the hosts an important three points, but the narrow victory also exposed areas coach Khalid Ninyonzima will want corrected before they face tougher opposition in Herentals Queens and last year’s finalists ZESCO Ndola Girls.

LDF stunned the defending champions in the 16th minute when Keitumetse Namane caught the Red Roses defence napping on the break before calmly beating the goalkeeper. GU struggled to turn their possession into goals despite creating chances, with Ninyonzima admitting that anxiety and the weight of expectations affected his players. “I think it was too much on them, but they knew they had to win the game. Now they took it further, too much, which is not good,” he said.

The champions eventually found their response five minutes after the interval when Lesego Radiakanyo unleashed a long-range effort that beat the LDF goalkeeper. Radiakanyo then appeared to have turned provider when her free-kick was headed home by Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse, only for the effort to be ruled offside. GU continued pushing and were rewarded two minutes from time when LDF goalkeeper made an error, allowing Goitsemang Tlamma to tap the ball into the far post for the winner.

Ninyonzima said the victory was more about the mentality shown after falling behind than the manner of the goals. “I told them, relax, don't worry about our mistakes, relax and play. Second half, I said guys, let's go for the second half, let's push ourselves,” he said. While GU celebrated, Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls made an impressive start to their campaign, defeating Herentals Queens 5-2 in the other Group A match. The result immediately puts last year’s runners-up in a strong position.

GU face Herentals Queens on Saturday while LDF meet ZESCO Ndola Girls. The group stage then concludes with GU facing ZESCO on August 24, while Herentals take on LDF. With two matches remaining, Ninyonzima believes there is little room for complacency. “There is no easy opponent,” he said, stressing that his side must concentrate on its own game and continue improving.