Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will once again represent the COSAFA regional zone in the CAF Women’s Champions League in November.
This after they brushed aside Double Action Ladies by 2-0 in the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Chuene Morifi, who has been impressive on the left after somewhat surprisingly missing out on the Women’s World Cup recently, scored in the fourth minute of the game for Jerry Tshabalala’s side.
While they couldn’t increase their tally in the first half, Nonhlanhla Mthandi added the second in the 53rd minute. Double Action Ladies goalie Bame Mokime should have done better to make a save for the latter, with the ball squirming under her body to nestle into the back of the net.
This was a third consecutive season that Sundowns was in the final of these qualifiers since the tournament started in the 2021, all hosted in Durban.
Sundowns, just like when it started, have been impressive in this year’s tournament, scoring goals for fun, including a 8-0 against Olympic de Moroni of Madagascar.
Sundowns fans were able to see midfield dynamo Kholosa Biyana, who signed from University of Western Cape, having been the conductor of the orchestra for Banyana’s historic performance to reach the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
She sadly missed the last group-stage match against Italy because of suspension having been booked twice in the first two matches.
Sundowns, since they are the champions, will be the only side to represent the COSAFA region in the third instalment of the Women’s CAF Champions League that is set to be hosted in Ivory Coast in November.
Jerry Shabalala’s side, who kept a 100% record at the COSAFA qualifiers and scored 21 goals, won the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions league and came runners-up in last year’s edition, losing 4-0 to AS FAR of Morocco.
