Three matches, three wins!
That’s how Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies completed the group stages of the CAF Women’s Champions League 2023 Cote d’Ivoire.
They achieved this by defeating host team Athlético Abidjan 3-0 on Saturday night (11 November) at Stade Amadon Gon Coulibaly in Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
The South Africans made wholesale changes to the squad that played in the previous clash against SC Sporting Casablanca, with captain Zanele Nhlapho as well Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Boitumelo Rabale the only survivors from that 1-0 victory.
After a goalless first half, an own goal by Matoba Cissé in the 77th minute started the downhill slide for the Ivorians. This was followed by brace from Refilwe Tholakele (86’, 88’) in a two-minute blitz to confirm the end of the road for Athlético de Abidjan in the tournament. Tholakele was named Player of the Match.
This was the first meeting between the two sides.
The Brazilians came into this encounter already qualified for the semi-final, and the win see them top Group A with nine points – becoming the only team in the tournament with an unblemished record. This is the third time in a row they have finished top of the group in the tournament.
They have scored six goals and not conceded: 2-0 vs JKT Queens, 1-0 vs SC Casablanca.
Sundowns Ladies will be joined in the last four by Morocco’s Sporting Casablanca who bounced back after a draw (1-1 v Athlético de Abidjan) and a loss (0-1 vs Sundowns Ladies).
Needing a win to book their last four spot, the North Africans took total control against JKT Queens with three first-half goals from Meryem Hajri, Chaymaa Mourtaji and N’Guessan Nadège Koffi. The Tanzanians tried to rescue their ailing campaign when Stumai Abdallah pulled one back after the recess, but Adjoa Silviane Kokora restored the three-goal cushion to ensure semi-final qualification with four points, and a second place finish.
Queens and Athlético ended their race in third and fourth places – with three and two points respectively.
It was a tournament to forget for the host team, who become the first hosts to exit the competition without registering a win: 1-1 vs SC Casablanca, 1-2 vs JKT Queens and 3-0 vs Sundowns Ladies.
They also follow in the footsteps of Egypt’s Wadi Degla – the host of the 2021 competition – who failed to get out of the group.
Sundowns Ladies have now matched their 2022 feat when they cruised through the group stages with three wins: 2-1 vs Bayelsa Queens (Nigeria); 5-0 vs Wadi Degla (Egypt) and 4-0 vs TP Mazembe (DR Congo).
With the victory, the South Africans continued their dominance over teams from the West Africa Football Union (WAFU). In four meetings, Jerry Tshabalala’s charges have maintained a perfect record: 1-0 vs River Angels 2021; 2-0 vs Hasaacas Ladies 2021; 2-1 vs Bayelsa Queens in 2022 and 3-0 vs Athlético de Abidjan in 2023.
This was Sundowns Ladies’ eighth group stages win – out of nine, with only one draw two years ago (0-0 vs AS FAR).
Since the start of this tournament, the 2021 CAF Champions League winners have triumphed in 11 games from the 13 played, losing only to the current holders AS FAR last year (4-0).
WHAT THEY SAID:
Jerry Tshabalala, Mamelodi Sundowns coach:
“We have achieved our first goal. I am satisfied. (On the prospect of facing AS Far in the semi-final) We are ready to face any team, AS Far or others.”
Refilwe Tholakele, Mamelodi Sundowns forward:
“Happy to have scored my second and third goals of the competition. I am indeed watching what the other goal-scorers in the competition are doing. There is a lot of talent. It’s going to be a beautiful fight.”
Lancina Dao, Atlético d’Abidjan coach:
“We are eliminated from the competition, but we have learned a lot, both on the field and administratively. There will be a before and after our first participation in the CAF Women’s Champions League. Now, we will return to our domestic affairs and do everything to compete in the upcoming editions of this competition.”
FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1. | Mamelodi Sundowns | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 | Top 2 Advance to semi-finals |
| 2. | SC Casablanca | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 | |
| 3. | JKT Queens | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 3 | |
| 4. | Athlético F.C. d’Abidjan (H) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 |
Sundowns will be back in action on Wednesday, 15 November in the first semi-final where they will take on an as yet unnamed second-place finisher in Group B – which is almost evenly poised and will be decided on Sunday night (12 November) when AS Mande take on AS Far while Ampem Darkoa faces Huracanes in the final group matches.
As matters stand, Mande has four points, while Ampem and AS FAR have three each, with Huracanes only on one.
The team that tops Group B will face SC Casablanca in the second semi-final – and there is a likelihood that there could a Moroccan semi-final between SC Casablanca and AS FAR, should the latter book their last four place.
There is also another possibility that the 2021 winners could cross swords with the 2022 champions – there is also no discounting the fact that AS could be eliminated should they lose to or draw with AS Mande and Ampem Darkoa beats Huracanes.
GROUP B STANDINGS
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1. | AS Mandé | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 4 | Top 2 Advance to semi-finals |
| 2. | Ampem Darkoa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 | |
| 3. | AS FAR | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4. | Huracanes | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 1 |
By Matlhomola Morake
