The opening round of Group B at the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers proved to be a high scoring one with 10 goals scored on a thrilling second day at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban.
Mamelodi Sundowns inflicted a tournament record 8-0 win over Olympic de Moroni from Comoros, while earlier Costa do Sol defeated Young Buffaloes of Eswatini 2-1.
Sundowns’ result betters their own record for the highest previous win, which was 8-1 against Costa do Sol at the tournament last year.
Chuene Morifi was instrumental in Sundowns’ victory as she scored the opener and assisted three goals for Tiisetso Makhubela, Boitumelo Rabale and Refilwe Tholakele. Makhubela completed the tournament’s first brace as she also scored in the second half just after Amanda Mthandi netted the side’s fourth goal.
There were further strikes from Gabonnelwe Kekana and Miche Minnies and the home favourites ran riot in the second period.
The win firmly puts the former African champions at the summit in Group B with three points and they are the only side yet to concede in the opening rounds at this year’s tournament.
Meanwhile, Mozambican champions Costa do Sol registered their first win in the qualifiers. Marlene Janeiro scored the opener from a free-kick and captain Albertina Pondja converted the first penalty of the competition this year within 20 minutes.
Costa do Sol sit behind Sundowns on the log on goal difference, but will be confident of making the semifinals.
The top two teams in each pool advance to the Last 4. Buffaloes’ consolation goal came from Tenanile Ngcamphalala in extra time of the first half.
Day three will see Double Action Ladies and Lesotho Defence Force face off in the second matches in Group A followed by defending champions Green Buffaloes against Ntopwa FC in the first match at 15:30.
Both games in the pool finished 1-1 on Wednesday, which means it is all to play for in the pool.
Entrance for fans to all matches will be FREE of charge, with tickets available at the stadium on match day. They are limited to four per person. You can view all of the fixtures here.
If you cannot get to the stadium, you can watch all matches streamed LIVE on FIFA+. Games will also be carried on SuperSport.
THURSDAY’S RESULTS:
Group B
Costa do Sol 2(Janeiro 6′, Pondja 18′) Young Buffaloes 1 (Ngcamphalala 42′)
Mamelodi Sundowns 8 (Morifi 10′, Makhubela 37′, 59′, Rabale 51′, Mthandi 57′, Tholakele 62′, Gabonnelwe Kekana 83′, Minnies 90′) Olympic de Moroni 0
FRIDAY’S FIXTURES:
Group A
Double Action Ladies vs Lesotho Defence Force (KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Green Buffaloes vs Ntopwa FC (KO 15h30; 13h30 GMT)
GROUP STANDINGS:
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Double Action | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Green Buffaloes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Lesotho Defence Force | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ntopwa FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| Costa do Sol | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Young Buffaloes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| Olympic de Moroni | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | -8 | 0 |
TOURNAMENT STATS:
Matches Played: 4
Goals scored: 14
Biggest victory: Mamelodi Sundowns 8 Olympic de Moroni 0 (Group B, August 31)
Most goals in a game: 8 – Mamelodi Sundowns 8 Olympic de Moroni 0 (Group B, August 31)
GOALSCORERS:
2 goals – Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns)
1 –Vanessa Chikupila (Ntopwa FC), Marlene Janeiro (Costa do Sol), Gabonnelwe Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siomala Mapepa (Green Buffaloes), Miche Minnies (Mamelodi Sundowns), Maseriti Mohlolo (Lesotho Defence Force), Chuene Morifi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Amanda Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tenanile Ngcamphalala (Young Buffaloes), Albertina Pondja (Costa do Sol), Boitumelo Rabale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lesego Radiakanyo (Double Action), Refilwe Tholakele (Mamelodi Sundowns)
