Red Roses tested as Sundowns clash looms

Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday August 25, 2026 09:54

The defending champions were beaten 2-0 by ZESCO in a game played at GU Stadium last night, he result that saw the Zambian side finish top of Group A as the local champions settle for the runners up spot. Niyonzima, however, said the defeat was a good test that could prove valuable as the Red Roses now enter the business end of the tournament. “It was a good test for us to go to the semi-final knowing what we have to do,” he said. GU had started the campaign brightly, winning their opening two matches and scoring four goals in the process. Against ZESCO, however, they discovered how quickly a small lapse can change the complexion of a big game. ZESCO needed just a minute to take the lead. Eneless Phiri delivered the team's first corner of the match and Charity Mubanga rose above the GU defence to head the ball beyond goalkeeper, Tlamelo Pheresi. Niyonzima admitted his team gifted ZESCO the opportunity. “We started to make a mistake which we decided to give a corner kick and we were sleeping and they scored,” he analysed.

The Red Roses tried to respond, with Lesego Radiakanyo almost producing an immediate answer when her long-range effort crashed against the crossbar. GU continued to push, but ZESCO's defensive organisation made it difficult for the hosts to turn their pressure into a goal. A dangerous free-kick went wide, while another GU set-piece ended with a header missing the target as the defending champions went into the break trailing 1-0. Niyonzima was satisfied with the overall tactical performance but felt his team was punished in key moments. “For me tactically we were good. We were perfect in terms of defence, only those two goals came to expose the way the opponents used their wing,” he said. ZESCO also threatened to extend their lead after the interval only for Phiri to miss a good opportunity in the 66th minute before Pheresi produced a crucial save seven minutes later. Goalkeeper Annie Namonje produced another important save to deny GU in the 85th minute, keeping out Radiakanyo's long-range effort.

Three minutes later, Avell Chitundu doubled ZESCO's advantage after being played in by Thandiwe Ndhlovu, effectively ending GU's hopes of salvaging a point. The defeat leaves GU second in Group A, while ZESCO complete a perfect group-stage campaign with three wins from three. For Niyonzima, the challenge now is turning the lessons from the defeat into improvements before the semi-finals. “We know now we have to push up our socks. We have to work harder for us if we want to reach the final,” he said. That warning could hardly come at a more appropriate time, with GU potentially facing the competition's most decorated side, Mamelodi Sundowns, in the semi-finals. Niyonzima believes his team has the capacity to respond.“We were tested today, so we know we can,” he said.

The teams: GU: Tlamelo Pheresi, Goitsemang Tlamma (Serati Modisenyane), Lorato Motlogelwa, Kesegofetse Mochawe, Desiree Kenyaditswe, Obonetse Rathari, Nancy Baeletsi, Lesego Radiakanyo, Jessica Maponga, Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (Mpapeau Hangara), Keitumetse Dithebe (Jessica Modise). ZESCO: Annie Namonje, Pauline Zulu, Eneless Phiri, Charity Mubanga, Thandiwe Ndhlovu, Judith Soko, Avell Chitundu, Penelope Mbulawa, Majory Mulenga, Mable Bwalya, Jackline Chomba.

GU 0 ZESCO 2 (Mubanga first, Chitundu 88th)