Silver Strikers Ladies have made history as the first Malawian side to win on their COSAFA Cup debut, a tournament serving as a qualifier for the CAF Women’s Champions League, after coming from behind to beat Mozambican giants Costa do Sol 2-1 at Gaborone United Stadium on Friday.

The Bankers fell behind inside the first minute but were handed a lifeline just after the hour mark when Costa do Sol were reduced to ten players, allowing Silver Strikers to overturn the deficit through goals from Ireen Khumalo and substitute Grace Kakangula.

The NBM Women’s Premiership champions were also bolstered by the depth of their squad, with several key players providing experience in both the starting line-up and among the substitutes.

Head coach Patricio Kulemeka handed starts to all five players who represented the Scorchers at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco: Ireen Khumalo, Tionge Phiri, Madyina Ngulube, Chikondi Gondwe and Deborah Henry.

Silver Strikers made a poor start to the match, conceding inside the first minute after Lucia Mozambique capitalised on a defensive lapse. However, they responded well, with Linda Manda forcing a save from the Costa do Sol goalkeeper in the 10th minute.

Costa do Sol struggled with the pace of the game and made two substitutions towards the end of the first half, with Albertina Pondja and Angola Mutula replacing Armenia Machara and Rosa Maingue. They made another change at the start of the second half, bringing on Maura Munguambe for Eunincia Machara.

The Bankers began the second half strongly, working the ball into dangerous areas through Henry, Manda and Yamikani Mhango, although they initially failed to convert their pressure into goals.

Manda and Mhango then made way for Grace Kakangula and Carolyn Mathyola in the 59th minute, with the changes adding fresh legs to the attack.

The turning point came in the 68th minute when Costa do Sol were reduced to ten players after Marlene Janeiro was sent off for a tackle on Khumalo.

Khumalo initially blasted the resulting free kick over the bar but made no mistake moments later, converting another direct free kick to level the score.

With the numerical advantage, Silver Strikers dominated proceedings in search of a winner. Tionge Phiri was forced off through injury in the 76th minute and replaced by Mphatso Gondwe, while Gladys Banda came on for Henry shortly afterwards.

The changes paid off as Kakangula struck the decisive goal in the 86th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory.

Head coach Kulemeka praised his players’ fighting spirit, saying securing maximum points was central to their strategy ahead of a tougher test against Mamelodi Sundowns.

“We conceded early, which was bad, but we did not look down and fought for a win. We have seen a lot that needs to be improved so that we can be better in our upcoming match because our plan is to reach the finals of the tournament,” said Kulemeka.

The win takes Silver Strikers to the top of their group on three points, although their position could change depending on the result of the late kick-off between Mamelodi Sundowns and Nsingizini Hotspur.