Red Roses learn title defence route

In a tournament draw held this morning at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, the Red Roses will begin title defence in Group A, against Zimbabwe's Herentals Queens, Zambia's ZESCO Ndola Girls and Lesotho Defence Force (LDF). The local champions are no strangers to their opponents. ZESCO Ndola Girls will be chasing revenge after losing last year's final to GU on penalties, while Herentals Queens arrive as one of Zimbabwe's strongest clubs and will fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stages. LDF complete the group and will be hoping to spring a surprise.

Group B pits South African giants and former African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, against Mozambique's Costa do Sol, Eswatini's Nsingizini Hotspurs and Malawi's Silver Strikers. Sundowns, who have won both the COSAFA Qualifiers and the CAF Women's Champions League, start as favourites to emerge from the group.