Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C’s date with fate in finals

• Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies secured their spot in the CAF Women’s Champions League final
• They defeated Morocco’s AS FAR 1-0
• AS FAR defeated Sundowns last year in the finals

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies secured their spot in the CAF Women’s Champions League final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Moroccan side AS FAR at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.

It was a riveting display of determination and redemption marked by an unwavering zeal to overcome AS FAR. Sundowns Ladies, hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, had faced the same opponents, AS FAR, in the 2022 CAF Women’s League final, where they suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat.

This time, however, the narrative took a different turn. Right from the kickoff, Sundowns Ladies asserted their dominance, seeking an early breakthrough against the defending champions.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Match

The match quickly escalated into a physical contest, marked by numerous stoppages as tackles flew in from both sides. AS FAR had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 35th minute when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box, but Sundowns’ goalkeeper Andile Dlamini came to the rescue with a crucial save.

As the halftime whistle blew, the score remained deadlocked at 0-0, setting the stage for a tense and pivotal second half.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. Photo/The Citizen

Sundowns Ladies resumed play with heightened intensity, eager to find the elusive opening goal. Despite their efforts, misplaced passes hampered their progress.

The breakthrough they sought finally came in the 73rd minute when Boitumelo Rabale seized on a loose ball in the box to give Sundowns a precious 1-0 lead.

With their noses in front, Sundowns Ladies remained resolute in defense, denying AS FAR any opportunity to mount a quick response. The final whistle confirmed Sundowns’ 1-0 victory and, more importantly, their ticket to the CAF Women’s League final.

Jerry Tshabalala, the coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. He said that his team was ready to face off with AS FAR this year after losing to them in 2022.

Tshabalala expressed gratitude to the support and hearty welcome in Korhogo, a city in northern Ivory Coast which hosted the semi-final’s.

“We are in the final. I warned you. I would like to sincerely thank the people of Korhogo. We feel at home. Now, we will have to correct our little shortcomings to be at the top on Sunday and offer an extraordinary finale to this audience,” Tshabalala exuded.

AS FAR Concedes Defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies

On the other hand, Mohamed Amine Alioua, the coach of AS FAR, shouldered the responsibility for the defeat.  He said that his team did everything right but still lost to the ladies from South Africa.

“I am the main person responsible for this defeat. I take responsibility for everything. The girls did everything right. Now we will focus on the small final. Even if the disappointment hurts, we will continue to do our best in our last game.”

About Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC. Photo/Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Football Club is a South African women’s professional soccer club based in Mamelodi, Pretoria. The team competes in the SAFA Women’s League, the top-tier women’s football league in South Africa. T

They are the most successful women’s team in South Africa with five titles. The team, together with the men’s team are owned by Patrice Motsepe. Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C. won the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021.

Despite losing in the CAF Women’s Champions League in 2022 to AS FAR, the club also won the first CAF Women’s Club of the Year this year.

As Sundowns Ladies look forward to the CAF Women’s League final, the journey serves as a testament to their resilience and growth. From a challenging defeat in the previous year to a hard-fought victory, the team’s evolution reflects not only on the players but also on the strategic prowess of their coaching staff.

The upcoming final against either Ampem Darkoa of Ghana or Sporting Casablanca of Morocco promises to be a thrilling climax to a remarkable journey for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the CAF Women’s Champions League.