No one could have scripted it better than this!
Perhaps the tag of the ‘Final before the Final’ is well suited on this occasion – this will be when the 2021 CAF Women’s Champions League winners, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, and the 2022 holders, AS FAR Rabat, collide in the first semi-final of the 2023 edition of the competition.
The two giants face off on Wednesday, 15 November at Stade Amadon Gon Coulibaly in Korhogo with a 19h00 (South African time) kick-off.
AS FAR Rabat finished in second place in Group B following a rescue mission to their campaign that started with a loss (1-2 to Ampem Darkoa), but brought back to life with back to back victories (1-0 vs Huracanes and 2-0 vs AS Mande).
The results were enough to secure them a semi-final spot and set up a much-anticipated meeting with the South Africans – their third in the tournament.
The North Africans have an upper hand following a goalless draw in 2021 and a 4-0 win in last year’s final – the only team to take away points from Sundowns Ladies since the inception of the tournament.
It will be interesting to see if the Moroccans will be able to stop Jerry Tshabalala runaway train that has managed three wins in as many matches in 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire, or will the ghost of AS FAR of the past two seasons come back to haunt the South Africans.
In the other semi-final, Ampem Darkoa of Ghana and Morocco’s SC Casablanca will battle it out for a place in the final.
The debutants will face off at Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro at 22h00 (South African time).
Ampem Darkoa claimed top spot in Group B after beating Huracanes 3-1 in their final group stages match.
The Ghanaians finished on six points, level with AS FAR, but the former have a better goal difference.
The winners in the semi-finals will meet in the final on Sunday, 19 November.
2023 CAF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL FIXTURES:
Wednesday, 15 November
First Semi-final:
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies v AS FAR Rabat
Stade Amadon Gon Coulibaly
Korhogo
19h00 (SA Time)
Second Semi-final:
Ampem Darkoa vs SC Casablanca
Stade Laurent Pokou
San Pedro
22h00 (SA Time)
Sunday, 19 November
FINAL:
WINNER SEMI-FINAL 1 vs WINNER SEMI-FINAL 2
Stade Amadon Gon Coulibaly
Korhogo
22h00 (SA Time)
By Matlhomola Morake
