City Kings FC survived a stern test from Strong Boys & Ladies FC, prevailing 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shootout after the sides played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time to secure qualification for the National Semi-Finals of the DTC Botswana Women’s Football Championship after a triumphant finish in the 2026 Northern Block Playoffs in Maun, this past Weekend.
The decisive playoff brought together the two standout teams from the Northern Block after an impressive weekend of football, with both clubs earning their places in the winner-takes-all encounter through dominant performances in the group stages.
City Kings struck first through Nonofo Setswalo, who gave her side the lead before Strong Boys & Ladies responded with an equaliser to ensure the contest remained finely balanced heading into the second half.
Despite both teams creating opportunities after the break, neither could find the decisive goal, sending the match straight to a penalty shootout.
With nerves of steel, City Kings converted six of their spot kicks to edge Strong Boys & Ladies 6-5, sparking jubilant celebrations as they secured their place in the next phase of the national championship.
The playoff capped an outstanding campaign for both sides, who had impressed throughout the two-day Northern Block tournament.
City Kings announced themselves as title contenders with an emphatic 7-0 demolition of Panda United in their opening match. They maintained their momentum later in the day by overcoming Orapa All Stars FC 4-3 in one of the tournament’s most entertaining fixtures, setting up the decisive playoff against Strong Boys & Ladies.
Strong Boys & Ladies were equally convincing in the group stages. They opened with a commanding 5-1 victory over The Lords FC before defeating Tutume Swallows FC 3-0 to complete a flawless run into the playoff.
Against Tutume Swallows, Kemelo P. Ontiretse opened the scoring in the 11th minute before Strong Boys doubled their advantage before halftime. A third goal late in the second half completed an impressive clean-sheet victory that underlined the side’s attacking quality and defensive discipline.
Sunday’s playoff lived up to expectations as two unbeaten teams battled for supremacy in an evenly contested encounter. City Kings’ early lead appeared enough to settle the contest, but Strong Boys & Ladies refused to surrender, finding an equaliser that forced the match beyond the 90 minutes.
Ultimately, the contest was settled from 12 yards, where City Kings held their composure to seal victory and continue their championship ambitions.
While Strong Boys & Ladies bowed out after an impressive tournament, their performances throughout the Northern Block Playoffs demonstrated their growing strength and competitiveness, having scored nine goals across three matches before falling narrowly on penalties.
For City Kings, the victory caps a perfect Northern Block campaign, having won all three matches including the penalty shootout triumph—and scoring freely throughout the tournament. Their resilience under pressure against Strong Boys & Ladies now sends them into the National Semi-Finals with confidence as they continue their pursuit of the 2026 DTC Botswana Women’s Football Championship title.
