UWC coach braces for tough Cosafa exams

University of the Western Cape (UWC) FC coach Thinasonke Mbuli is taking a pragmatic approach going into next month's CAF Women’s Champions League's Cosafa qualifiers in Malawi.

Mbuli told supersport.com that her 'students' are under no illusion that the qualifiers will be a stroll in the park.

The qualifiers runs from 15 to 24 August in Blantyre.

She was reacting to the draw that saw her wards placed in Group A of the qualifiers alongside experienced Herentals Queens of Zimbabwe, Green Buffaloes from Zambia and Namibia’s FC Ongos.

"I think it’s a tough group. We have two teams in the group that have played in the qualifiers before so we know it won’t be easy," she said.

Despite this, the Capetonians are still dreaming big, hoping to join Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies at the continental finals.

"Obviously, we want to qualify for the Champions League. But we know we have to come prepared (mentally) because it won’t be easy," she added.

The competition kicks off on 15 August when Zambia’s Green Buffaloes FC face UWC at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.

The action continues the following day with hosts Ascent Soccer Academy welcoming Young Buffaloes FC from Eswatini at Mpira Stadium in a second Group B match.

Debutants Botswana’s Gaborone United also face UD de Lichinga of Mozambique on 16 August at the same venue.