Kick4life endure steep learning curve at CAF Women’s CL Qualifiers

SEBONGILE MATHE

MASERU – Kick4life Women FC experienced the intense challenges of continental football, concluding their historic campaign in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers with tough lessons in Group B.

Making only the second-ever appearance for a Lesotho team in the tournament, Kick4life’s journey began with a 3-1 defeat to eSwatini’s Young Buffaloes on Monday. Despite a motivated start, Coach Elizabeth Yelimala noted her team struggled to maintain focus and capitalize on opportunities.

“We played our normal game and were prepared,” Yelimala said. “Unfortunately, we wasted chances and lost concentration.”

The competition escalated dramatically in their next match against Botswana’s Gaborone United, which resulted in a heavy 10-1 defeat. Despite the daunting scoreline, Coach Yelimala highlighted a silver lining, praising her team’s fighting spirit in the final stretch of the game.

“I am happy with the way the team fought back in the last 20 minutes and managed to score a goal,” she stated. “We are very grateful for the opportunity; this is a valuable lesson.”

Emphasizing a forward-looking perspective, Yelimala underscored the importance of the experience for her developing squad, saying “we take each step and learn from every game. This defeat has taught us a lot. We need to improve our team’s consistency and increase our speed of play.”

While the results were not what they had hoped for, Kick4life’s participation itself marks a significant step for women’s football in the country. The team’s resilience in the face of formidable opponents and their commitment to learning from the experience provide a crucial foundation for future growth.

The qualifiers have painted a clear picture of a team eager to absorb every lesson, ensuring these tough matches contribute to their long-term development as competitors on the African stage.