University of Western Cape (UWC) lost 2-0 to TP Mazembe in their first ever outing in the CAF Women’s Champions League at Stade El Abdi on Saturday afternoon.
Lacho Marta and Merveille Nangunji scored in the second half to earn the Congolese side maximum points in the tournament opener.
The opening five minutes of the game saw a fast-paced game between the sides sizing up each other.
UWC were first to seek an opener in the fourth minute when Fikile Magama from the back tried to find Ntombifikile Ndlovu who was in a good scoring position, but the ball was faster and the keeper got to it first.
A minute later, it was Benie Kubiena of Mazembe with a shot at goal, but it was tame and went wide. In the eighth minute, the debutants after play from a corner, with Sinegugu Zondi trying to find Tifanny Kortjie in the box but the keeper beat her to it.
There was a dangerous moment from Mazembe in the 14th minute with Kgalebane Mohlakoana making a solo run but had no support to finish in the box.
There was another attempt at goal by Mazembe three minutes later from Nangunji, but it went wide.
In the 22nd minute, Mazembe had a well team worked goal with Elena Oyana crossing to Martha in the box but it was ruled offside upon VAR consultation.
UWC survived another scare three minutes later after Marlene Yav crossed into the box looking for Mohlakoana and Marhta, but only forced the keeper to come out and make a save. The South African-born midfielder was again pain to the UWC defence when she found Oyana in the box, but the latter’s shot was blocked.
Three minutes to the break, UWC gave away a set-piece just outside the box. Mohlakoana stepped up and keeper came out to make a save and deny her leaving the game locked 0-0 at halftime.
The Blues returned unchanged from the break while Mazembe made one change replacing Mohlakoana with Esther Bushiri. Eight minutes into the second half, Mazembe launched an attack to try to break the deadlock. Belange Nzumba crossed to Nangunji whose header was punched away, and Maya caught the rebound, and it landed in the keeper’s hands.
A minute later, Nangunji fired from range but hit the crossbar. UWC responded immediately launching a counter that found Kortjie who scored; however, the goal was ruled offside.
Mazembe’s efforts finally resulted in a goal in the 61st minute when Oyama set-up Martha for the opener.
Mazembe could have doubled their lead seven minutes later from Nangunji if her shot didn’t go over the bar. However, Nangunji redeemed herself by scoring her side’s second goal with 13 minutes left on the clock from the cross of Oyama.
The sides will have to wait for the result of the next game between ASFAR and Aigles La Medina to get the correct standings after match-day 1.
