Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies forward, Chuene Morifi has left the reigning CAF Women’s Champions League winners, and has found a new home in Turkey.
The speedy winger has put pen to paper with Beylerbeyi Women which campaigns in the Turkish Women’s Football Super League. She was announced on Thursday, and could make her debut when the new season kicks off next month.
The club finished fifth in the last 2023/24 competition, missing out on the UEFA Champions League action.
Morifi is among several players recruited to the Istanbul-based side.
The Limpopo-born player leaves the Brazilians at a time as they were preparing for The Women’s Cup in the USA where they will face hosts Kansas City Current in the opening match next month – Japan’s Kobe Vitesse will take on Atletico Madrid of Spain in the other clash. The winners will go on to meet in the final while the losers will battle it out for a third-place play-off.
Morifi, who has been capped at Banyana Banyana level, has won several accolades since joining the Brazilians in 2017.
Among others, she has lifted the CAF Women’s Champions League trophy a record two times (2021 and 2023) and won silver in the same competition in 2022. Morifi was voted the Fans Player of the Season at the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League awards, the same year she was named in the Best 11 in both the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Champions League as well as the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Meanwhile Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have also lost the services of their physical and conditioning coach Kasey Oliver, whose contract was not renewed.
She revealed her departure in a social media post, but did not outline the reasons.
“It has been a privilege to be part of Mamelodi Sundowns FC, specifically for the senior Ladies side and to have had an opportunity to work with such talented and hardworking wine athletes,” she said.
“During my time at the club, I have witnessed the dedication and passion that each player brings to the field every day. The camaraderie and teamwork that we have built together were truly inspiring, and I am grateful for the experiences and memories that I will carry with me. I want to express my gratitude to the Players, Club, Management, Technical staff, and Supporters throughout my time at the club. I am confident that the team will continue to achieve great success in the future, and I will be cheering you on from afar.”
The club is yet to announce her replacement.
By Matlhomola Morake
