MATCH STATS: Debutants Gaborone United face JKT Queens in Group B opener

Gaborone United of Botswana take on JKT Queens from Tanzania in their opening Group B clash at the CAF Women’s Champions League Egypt 2025 on Sunday (kick-off 18h00 local time (16h00 GMT).

Debutants Gaborone United take in a JKT Queens side who return for their second appearance and first since 2023.

This will be JKT’s second meeting with a club from Southern Africa, following their 2-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening match in 2023.

It is the first direct encounter between the two clubs, but the fourth overall between Tanzanian sides and teams from the COSAFA region. Tanzanian clubs have won one and lost two of those previous meetings.

In addition to JKT’s 2023 defeat to Sundowns, Simba Queens recorded a 2-0 victory over Green Buffaloes (Zambia) in 2022 before losing 1-0 to Sundowns in the semi-finals of the same edition.

JKT Queens are facing a debutant for the third time in the competition. In 2023, they beat fellow newcomers Athletico Abidjan 2-1 before losing 4-1 to SC Casablanca of Morocco.

Gaborone United – Key Statistics

·       First-ever team from Botswana to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.

·       Fifth different club from the Southern African region to reach the tournament finals.

·       Qualified by winning the 2025 COSAFA regional qualifiers.

·       Defeated Young Buffaloes (Eswatini) 1-0 and beat Kick4Life (Lesotho) 10-1 in the group stage.

·       Won 3-1 against CD Costa Do Sol (Mozambique) in the semi-final, before defeating ZESCO Ndola Girls (Zambia) 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final.

·       Scored 15 goals during the qualifiers, with striker Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse netting seven, including five in the 10-1 win over Kick4Life.

·       Seeking to emulate Mamelodi Sundowns by becoming the second Southern African club to reach the knockout rounds.

·       This is the first edition without a South African representative — Mamelodi Sundowns qualified in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, while the University of the Western Cape joined them in 2024.

·       Won their maiden Botswana league title in 2024 and successfully defended it in 2025.

·       Have competed in Botswana’s top division only since 2023.

·       Finished the 2025 domestic season unbeaten, winning all 14 matches.

·       Scored 61 goals in the 2025 league campaign, compared to 35 by second-placed Double Action.

JKT Queens – Key Statistics

·       Making their second appearance after debuting in 2023.

·       First Tanzanian or East African club to qualify for multiple finals.

·       Eliminated in the group stage in 2023.

·       Aiming to match the achievement of Simba Queens, who reached the semi-finals and finished fourth in 2022.

·       Simba Queens remain the only East African team to advance beyond the group phase; Vihiga Queens (Kenya), JKT Queens (Tanzania), and CBE (Ethiopia) have all exited at the group stage.

·       Lost their opening match in 2023 by 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns.

·       East African teams have lost all their opening games across four tournament appearances.

·       No East African team has yet scored in a tournament opener.

·       Scored in their last two fixtures in 2023 — a 2-1 victory over Athletico Abidjan and a 4-1 defeat to SC Casablanca.

·       Yet to keep a clean sheet in the competition.