Red Roses a step closer to history
Friday, August 23, 2024 | 110 Views |
Final joy: Red Roses celebrate the winning goal against Zimbabwe's Herentals PIC: COSAFA
Yesterday, GU advanced to the final of the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA qualifiers to be played on Sunday at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi. The Red Roses progressed to the final of the regional qualifiers after a 1-0 win over Herentals Queens played at midday. A late goal by winter signing, Jessica Modise was enough to take GU to the final, becoming the second local team to achieve the feat. In the previous edition, former local champions Double Action reached the final but were beaten 2-0 by eventual African champions Mamelodi Sundowns. GU would hope to go a step further than their local rivals as they take on South Africa's University of Western Cape (UWC) in the final to kick-off at 2pm on Saturday.
UWC thumped Eswatini's Young Buffaloes 6-0 in the second semi-final to set-up a showdown with GU. Both sides are in the competition and the final for the first time. The Red Roses remain unbeaten in the competition but did not have the best start as they played to a goalless draw with UD Lichinga of Mozambique. The team's first goal of the tournament was scored in their second match of the qualifiers in the tie against Young Buffaloes as the two teams played to a 1-1 draw. The local champions had to dig deep to walk away as 3-2 winners in the deciding group stage tie against the hosts, Ascent Academy. It was a proud moment for local football as GU finished on top of Group B of the competition. GU could be the first local side to reach the CAF Women's Champions League finals to be played later this year and only the third club from the COSAFA region.
Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...