Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies travelled to Durban for one reason, and one reason only – to wrestle the trophy from the other seven teams at the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA zonal qualifier.
For the third year in a row, they are in the final – one match away from achieving their goal.
In the inaugural competition they lifted the trophy and were crowned regional champions, and went to become Queens of the Continent at club level.
But last year they fell short of defending the COSAFA title, with Green Buffaloes of Zambia claiming the title after a penalty shootout.
Fast forward to 2023 and the South Africans are in the final again – and his time around standing in their path is Botswana’s Double Action.
The two teams will contest the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA zonal qualifier final on Friday (8 September) at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium at 15h00.
Double Action and Sundowns Ladies are no strangers to each other – they have previously met on two occasions.
In 2021 the South Africans flew past their neighbours in a 6-0 drubbing – fired up by a Melinda Kgadiete hattrick. Captain Zanele Nhlapho, Andisiwe Mgcoyi and Lelona Daweti chipped in with a goal each.
The following year Kgadiete was on the scoresheet again for the Brazilians in a 1-1 draw – but goals seem to have dried up in 2023 as she has not found the back of the net after the four matches the team has played.
Despite the striker’s drought this year, goals have not been in short supply for the team from the South African capital.
Enroute to the final, they scored 19 – shared among ten goal scorers.
“While reaching the final is a significant achievement, our journey is not complete until we reclaim the CAF Champions League itself. Before that, we have a final game to prepare for and I am eagerly looking forward to it. The team has shown great determination and skill, and I have every confidence that we can finish this journey on a triumphant note,” Sundowns Ladies’ forward, Boitumelo Rabale told her club’s Media Team.
Echoing her words was winger Chuene Morifi, one of those on the scoring chart.
“While we are pleased with the result, we are not celebrating just yet. We have another tough game coming up in the final and we are eagerly anticipating the challenge ahead,” she said.
There is also a side battle that will be raging on during the final – that of the Top Goal Scorer.
Five players are in contention with three strikes each – and they are all playing in the closing match of the tournament.
Daweti, Mgcoyi and Tiisetso Makhubela for Sundowns Ladies, while Double Action has the duo of captain Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse and Lesego Radiakanyo will all be eager to increase their tally and walk away with the individual accolade.
Also not to be discarded is the Brazilians trio of Miche Minnies, Morifi and Nhlapho – who have banged two goals apiece. Should they score in the final – it would put the spanner in the works.
Double Action have made history by qualifying for their first final at the regional tournament – and could further rewrite the history books by claiming the title.
This should be an interesting match-up as both teams have not lost in the tournament – Sundowns Ladies winning all their matches, while the draw in the opening fixture the only blemish for the Botswana side.
The winner of this encounter will represent the COSAFA region at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals in Ivory Coast in November.
Earlier in the day, Costa do Sol will go toe to toe with Green Buffaloes for the bronze medal.
ROAD TO THE FINAL:
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies:
8 – 0 vs Olympic de Moroni (Comoros)
4 – 0 vs Young Buffaloes (Eswatini)
4 – 0 vs Costa do Sol (Mozambique)
3 – 1 vs Green Buffaloes (Zambia) Semi-finals
Double Action Ladies:
1 – 1 vs Green Buffaloes
1 – 0 vs Lesotho Defence Force
4 – 0 vs Ntopwa FC (Malawi)
2 – 0 vs Costa do Sol
FRIDAY’S FIXTURES:
Third-Place Play-Off
Costa do Sol vs Green Buffaloes
(KO 12h00; 10h00 GMT)
Final
Double Action Ladies vs Mamelodi Sundowns
(KO 15h00; 13h00 GMT)
Entrance for fans to both matches will be FREE of charge, with tickets available at the stadium on match day. They are limited to four per person.
If you cannot get to the stadium, you can watch both matches streamed LIVE on FIFA+. Games will also be carried on SuperSport.
By Matlhomola Morake
