Messages of well wishes continue to pour in for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) who will be representing South Africa at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifier. The tournament will be held from 16 – 25 August in Malawi.
UWC finished second on the table in the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League title race, and now takes the place of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies who won the continental championship at club level last year, and automatically qualify for the 2024 edition of the tournament proper as the defending champions.
The South Africans will be joined by the hosts and six zonal representatives: COSAFA (Southern Africa), WAFU A (West Africa), WAFU B (West Africa), UNIFFAC (Central Africa), CECAFA (East Africa) and UNAF (North Africa).
This means the COSAFA region will have two representatives at the tournament proper.
Leading the charge for the congratulatory messages is the South African Football Association (SAFA), through their CEO Lydia Monyepao:
“The Association wishes UWC the best of luck in their participation in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers in Malawi next month. It will be the first time most of the players taste international club competitions at this level, therefore a great platform for them to show their true potential and elevate to their greatness. We know they will represent South Africa with pride. Bring it home, uDubs,” she said.
The eight confirmed COSAFA clubs, are from South Africa (UWC); Botswana (Gaborone United); Eswatini (Young Buffaloes); Malawi (Ascent Academy); Mozambique (UD Lichinga); Namibia (Ongos), Zambia (Green Buffaloes) and last, but not least, (Zambia) Herentals Queens (Zimbabwe).
Since inception in 2021, no other South African team has played in the competition except perennial Hollywoodbets Super League winners, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
“Congratulations to UWC on your remarkable achievement of qualifying for the COSAFA Women’s Champions League. This milestone is testament to your hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent. Your success not only brings pride to UWC but also serves as an inspiration to women and girls across South Africa,” said Sundowns Ladies Head Coach Jerry Tshabalala, who has won the COSAFA Qualifiers before.
“Your participation in the COSAFA Women’s Champions League is a significant step forward for women’s football in our country. It highlights the growing strength and potential of women’s teams in South Africa, encouraging greater investment, visibility, and support for the sport. This achievement will undoubtedly inspire young female athletes to pursue their dreams and continue to elevate the standard of women’s football nationally and internationally.”
He added:
“Credit must also go to SAFA for creating a platform for our girls to showcase their God given talent and also taking a good decision in sending UWC to COSAFA qualifiers. Wishing you all the best in the tournament. Keep shining and making us proud.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach Desiree Ellis has also sent well wishes to her national team assistant.
“This is absolutely fantastic news for South African women’s football, UWC has shown over the last couple of years how tight the league has been between them and Sundowns Ladies. A big thank you to the South African Football Association (SAFA) for nominating them and I must also take my hat off for Mamelodi Sundowns coach Jerry Tshabalala for allowing this opportunity,” said Ellis.
“I think the UWC will represent us well, it’s great that there’s another opportunity for more players to get to play in a tournament besides representing their national team, and we see how that has helped players grow because continental experience is so invaluable. hopefully, we can have two teams at the main tournament, and that would be fantastic for South African Women’s Football, I think it will only elevate the game.”
The draw date for the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers is yet to be announced.
By Matlhomola Morake
