There were mixed fortunes for South African players on the international scene with Linda Motlhalo and Bongeka Gamede through to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup with their respective teams while Jermaine Seoposenwe’s side came unstuck in the 2025/2026 CONCACAF W Champions Cup.
Starting in third position at the Audi Field in Washington DC, Rayadas de Monterrey needed a win in the latter competition to advance to the semi-finals, trailing hosts Washington Spirit by a point. But the night went horribly wrong for the Mexican outfit as they lost 4-0 and were knocked out of the competition.
Seoposenwe started the match and was withdrawn after 45 minutes.
Strikes from Croix Bethune, Rose Kouassi, Gift Monday and an own goal by Valeria del Campo saw the Americans progress to the last four alongside compatriots Gotham FC with 10 points each in Group B. The Mexican duo of Club America and Pachuca advanced from Group A as they finished on 10 and seven points respectively.
Monterrey finished in third place on six points following wins against Allianza and Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite (8-0 and 4-0). Seoposenwe’s side lost to Gotham FC (2-1) and Spirit.
The Liga MX Femenil outfit will now turn their attention to the league action where they face Club Leon on Monday (20 October 2025) at the BBVA Stadium in penultimate match (Day 16) of the Apertura 2025 tournament.
They are currently lying sixth on the table on 26 points – 12 behind log leaders, Thembi Kgatlana’s UANL Tigres.
In the EUFA Women’s Europa Cup second qualifying round, Motlhalo’s Glasgow City snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at Peter’s Hill Park. The Banyana Banyana midfield maestro played the full match.
There was drama just before the final whistle.
Trailing 4-5 on aggregate against Denmark’s HB Koge in the 90th minute, the Scottish side ended on the winning side when they struck twice to win 5-3 on the night – 6-5 on aggregate and book their spot in the Round of 16.
Glasgow came into the encounter after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the first leg.
The goals for the Scots came from Abi Harrison (10’), Emily Whelan (25’), Kim Pelkowski (OG) (64’), Emma Brownlie (90’), Lisa Forrest (90+2’).
On the league front, after eight matches, City are sitting pretty at the top of the log standings on 22 points, three ahead of second-placed Celtic whom they face on Sunday (19 October).
Glasgow is yet to lose this season with seven wins and a draw.
Also continuing on her European adventure is Banyana Banyana’s Gamede with Nordsjaelland after the Danish side defeated Gintra of Lithuania 5-0 on Wednesday to qualify for the next round on a 5-1 aggregate win.
The South African started and finished the encounter which took place at the Right to Dream Park in Farum, Denmark.
Cecilie Larsen opened the scoring for the Danes in the second minute, with Signe Antvorskof doubling the lead on the night before Anna Walter made it 3-0 at half time. Two strikes the other side of the recess from Laila El Behery and Algimante Mikutaite ensured that Nordsjaelland cruise to victory and were joined by fellow Danes Fortuna Hjorring in the Round of 16.
The two Danish sides face off in a league clash on Saturday (18 October) – Nordsjaelland is third on the table with 13 points, while Fortuna lies second with 21 points – log leaders HB Koge are on 24. All three have played nine games each.
After featuring for their respective clubs this weekend, Motlhalo and Gamede are expected to report for national duty as Banyana Banyana will face the DR Congo in a crucial 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier.
The first leg is on Wednesday (22 October) away in Kinshasa, with the return fixture penciled in for Tuesday, 28 October at the FNB Stadium.
UEFA Women’s Europa Cup Round of 16 Participants:
- Anderlecht (Belgium)
- Ajax (Nederland)
- Austria Wien (Austria)
- Breidablik (Iceland)
- Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
- Fortuna Hjørring (Denmark)
- Glasgow City (Scotland)
- Häcken (Sweden)
- Hammarby (Sweden)
- Inter (Italy)
- Mura (Slovenia)
- Nordsjælland (Denmark)
- PSV Eindhoven (Nederland)
- Sparta Praha (Czech Republic)
- Sporting CP (Portugal)
- YB Frauen (Switzerland)
With the Round of 16 line-up complete, the teams await the draw that will be conducted in Nyon on Friday (17 October).
2025/26 UEFA Women’s Europa Cup dates:
Round of 16
Draw: 17 October, Nyon
First leg: 11/12 November
Second leg: 19/20 November
Quarter-finals
Draw: 17 October, Nyon
First leg: 11/12 February
Second leg: 18/19 February
Semi-finals
Draw: 17 October, Nyon
First leg: 24/25 March
Second leg: 1/2 April
Final (two legs)
Draw (to decide order of legs): 17 October, Nyon
First leg: 25 or 26 April
Second leg: 2 or 3 May
By Matlhomola Morake
