UWC Ladies qualified for the CAF Women’s Champions League after beating Gaborone United 9-8 on penalties after the COSAFA final had ended 1-1 after 120 minutes at Mpira stadium in Malawi on Saturday.
Noxolo Cesane’s second half strike seemed to be the difference until Laone Moloi equalised in the last 10 minutes to take the tie into extra time.
The Hollywoodbets league side made three changes to the side that ran rampage over Young Buffaloes in the semi-finals starting Fikile Magama, Amogelang Motau and Sibulele Holweni for Sinegugu Zondi, Koketso Mamabolo and Tiffany Kortjie. UWC wanted an early goal, applied pressure and were rewarded with free kick in the third minute. Motau stepped up but striked the ball over the bar.
In the 12th minute United had a chance when Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse found Keitumetse Dithebe, whose shot was an easy save for Siphesihle Dlamini. Five minutes from that United won a set-piece which Dithebe took but Dlamini was on alert yet again. The Blues had an opportunity to break the deadlock 21 minutes into the game, with a well worked team effort between Philisa Mjambane, Cesane and Motau but the captain’s final product went slightly wide.
Motau had another shot in injury time of the half and she sent it over the bar leaving the game locked at 0-0 at the break.
In the second half Ntombifikile Ndlovu replaced Mjambane as UWC’s first substitution. In the 50th minute Magama connected with Holweni in the box but the latter’s header only brought out the keeper to make a save. The next 10 minutes were characterised by UWC’s inability to capitalise on set-pieces. The students’ persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Ndlovu set-up Cesane and this time the Banyana-Banyana midfielder made no mistake and scored the opener and her second of the tournament. Ndlovu could have made it 2-0 two minutes later by her long range shot hit the side of the net.
With UWC looking like they are running away with the title Laone Moloi equalised with a header in the last 10 minutes from a Dithebe cross to drag the match into extra time.
The first half of extra time didn’t produce any real threats at goal from either side however UWC got free-kick in the 100th minute after Ronnel Donelley was fouled. Gamede took it but the United keeper was up to task. Ndlovu could have regained UWC’s lead in the second half but was denied by the cross bar.
In the end, it was the lottery of penalties but UWC made no mistake, as all their takers hit the back of the net while goalkeeper Siphesihle Dlamini saved the 17th penalty in the shootout to secure the trophy and a spot in the CAF Women’s Champions League.
