The Red Roses on Saturday saw their dreams of being the first local club to make it to the African women football inter-club tournament's last eight shattered by a loss in the regional final. In their debut outing at the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers tournament, they reached the final and lost by penalty shootout to the University of Western Cape (UWC). An inspired 1-0 win over Herentals Queens of Zimbabwe moved GU 90 minutes closer to a historic qualification. It was level until the 70th minute as South African international, Noxolo Cesane, gave UWC the lead in a highly contested final match.
GU responded 10 minutes later with a well taken effort from Laone Moloi. After 120 minutes of play, the two teams needed the penalty shootout to determine the regional champions. Full back, Goitsemang Tlamma, was unlucky not to convert her kick as UWC won the tie 9-8 in the shootout. The Red Roses’ attacking midfielder, Keitumetse Dithebe’s performances during the tournament did not go unnoticed as she won the Best Player Award. She becomes the second local player to walk away with the prestigious accolade after Mares’ midfielder, Obonetse Rathari in the 2023 edition.
Dithebe, alongside full back, Kesegofetse Mochawe, and forward, Jessica Modise, also made it into the tournament's best team. GU now join Double Action with a silver medal from the regional qualifiers. The latter however have two more appearances than GU.
