Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies got off to a winning start in the CAF Women’s Champions League as they defeated tournament debutants JKT Queens of Tanzania 2-0 on Sunday, 5 November 2023.
The Group A clash took place at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly in Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire.
Goals in either half by Lebogang Ramalepe and Refilwe Tholakele ensured South Africa’s Hollywoodbets Super League reigning champions collect maximum points in this prestigious competition they won three years ago.
Ramalepe, who walked away with the Player of the Match accolade, got on the scoresheet four minutes before the break of this entertaining match-up to determine the Queens of the Continent at club level.
“We are delighted with our performance and to start the tournament with a victory, which boosts our confidence. Everyone sees us already in the final, but honestly, we take one game at a time, doing things step by step,” Ramalepe told CAF TV.
The South Africans doubled their lead in the 75th minute through Botswana international, Tholakele.
Sundowns Ladies have now managed three victories against East African opponents in CAF competition following their previous wins over Vihiga Queens (Kenya) and TP Mazembe (DR Congo).
“I am more satisfied with our second half. In the first half, our opponent gave their best, and in the second half, they seemed to run out of steam, allowing us to impose our rhythm. For the next match against Casablanca, we will give our best as we aim for the top spot in this group,” said Sundowns Ladies head coach Jerry Tshabalala.
The South Africans are back in action on Wednesday, 8 November where they will cross swords with Sporting Club Casablanca, while the Queens will face hosts Athlético Abidjan.
“Mamelodi Sundowns capitalized on the opportunities that came their way, which was not the case for us. Experience also played a role. We made rookie mistakes, but we will learn from our performance and return on Wednesday with better intentions,” said Esther Fredy Chaburuma, Coach of JKT Queens.
In the other Group A fixture played earlier, Athlético Abidjan and SC Casablanca could not be separated in the opening match of the tournament as they shared the spoils following a 1-all draw.
But there was history made in the 37th minute when Athlético Abidjan midfielder, Espérance Agbo, scored the first ever goal at the newly built Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.
The debutants, however, could not hold on to their lead, and allowed SC Casablanca back into the game with a goal in the 81st minute through Nadège Nguessan Koffi in another highly entertaining CAF Women’s Champions League match.
The results mean Sundowns Ladies top the group on three points, followed by the pair of Athlético Abidjan and SC Casablanca, who have a point each, while JKT Queens are bottom of the table and yet to register a point in the tournament.
With eight teams in the competition, Group B will take centre stage on Monday (6 November 2023) when defending champions, AS FAR of Morocco go toe to toe with Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa in the earlier kick-off while Huracanes of Equatorial Guinea face AS Mande of Mali in the final match of the day two.
By Matlhomola Morake
