The race for a place at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals kicks into gear on Thursday with the start of the COSAFA Qualifiers that are being staged in Blantyre, Malawi.

It will be the fourth edition of the regional preliminaries, with only the winning side among the eight clubs joining holders Mamelodi Sundowns in the continental showpiece event later this year.

Sundowns, who lifted the regional trophy in 2021 and 2023, have a bye through this stage of the competition, but there is a return to the preliminaries for 2022 champions Green Buffaloes of Zambia.

They open their campaign this year with a clash against debutants University of the Western Cape from South Africa (kick-off 15h00 CAT, 13h00 GMT), who have been runners-up to Sundowns in their domestic league for the last three seasons.

It will be a fascinating battle between a side with plenty of know-how in this competition and a UWC team that must make the step up, but have several players with international experience.

The other game in Group A sees Herentals Queens from Zimbabwe, also on debut, take on FC Ongos of Namibia, who return for the first time since 2021.

Ongos played in the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier as TURA Magic but are since under new owners and have a change in name. That match is at 12h00 CAT (10h00 GMT).

All fixtures will take place at the Mpira Stadium and entrance for fans will be FREE.

Supporters wishing to watch game from outside Blantyre can follow the action on FIFA+, with all games streamed live to wherever you are on the globe.

The fixtures in Group B get under way on Friday as debutantes Gaborone United from Botswana and UD de Lichinga of Mozambique do battle at 12h00 CAT, and Young Buffaloes from Eswatini, back for a third year in a row, take on ‘home’ side Ascent Academy, who are based in the Malawian city of Lilongwe.

Ascent Academy are also appearing for the first time, the fifth team of the eight who are on debut and are likely to enjoy vociferous support from locals.

The group stages are played in a round-robin format with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the semifinals, where the top side in Group A will take on the runner-up in Group B, and vice-versa.

The winner of each of the semifinals contest the final on August 24 with no bronze-medal match.