COSAFA Women's Champions League

About COSAFA Women's Champions League

History, Format, Organization, Media Coverage

The COSAFA Women’s Champions League, officially titled the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers, is a qualification tournament for clubs from COSAFA member nations aiming for a spot in the CAF Women's Champions League. Founded in 2021, this competition is operated by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations, an affiliate of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The tournament begins in August, featuring eight teams divided into two groups of four. Teams compete in a single round-robin format, with each side playing every other club in their group once. The top two sides from each group advance to the knockout stage.

The knockout stage includes a one-legged semifinal and final. If a match ends in a draw after regulation time, it proceeds to extra time and, if necessary, penalty shootouts to determine the winner. The champion of the COSAFA Women’s Champions League qualifies for the CAF Women’s Champions League.

CAF Women’s Champions League winners automatically qualify for the following season's Champions League. Consequently, COSAFA can have two representatives in the CAF Women’s Champions League if a COSAFA club wins the continental competition but does not claim the COSAFA Women’s Champions League title.

South African clubs have established early dominance in this tournament, with Mamelodi Sundowns winning the first and third editions, while the University of the Western Cape Women’s F.C. represented the region in the 2024 CAF Women's Champions League.