Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies kicked off the defence of their CAF Women’s Champions League title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a stubborn Bayelsa Queens in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday (31 October 2022).
Lelona Daweti was on fire as she scored the two goals on either side of the half to give the Brazilians a much-needed start in the competition.
But the Nigerians were the first to launch an attack when Maryann Ezenagu almost put them in the lead three minutes into the match, only to be denied by the brilliance of goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
The defending champions were put under pressure as moments later Bayelsa nearly broke the deadlock through Flourish Sabastine and Juliet Sunday, but again the ever-green Dlamini was equal to the task.
Banyana ba Style then took the lead in the 32nd minute through Daweti, with the assist coming from Thalea Smidt.
They could have added another had Melinda Kgadiete missed an easy chance.
Kgadiete then made up for the miss with a glorious and well-weighted defence-splitting pass that found Daweti in the opposition box.
The latter made no mistake as she doubled Sundowns Ladies advantage to 2-0 in the 58thminute.
But Bayelsa Queens were not out of it yet.
They launched one attack after another, pushing the defending champions back.
With five minutes left on the clock, the Nigerians pounced after Sundowns Ladies failed to clear their lines to make 2-1 – and becoming the first club to score against Banyana ba Style in the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Last year they went through the tournament without conceding.
The goal led to a nervy finish as they the Brazilians held on while Bayelsa pushed forward for an equaliser.
But they ran out of time as the referee blew the final whistle, confirming Sundowns Ladies 2-1 victory, with Daweti named Player of the Tournament.
In the 2021 edition of this tournament, Sundowns Ladies also defeated Nigerian champions Rivers Angels 1-0
The South Africans next face Egypt’s Wadi Degla on Thursday, 3 November.
By Matlhomola Morake
