Sundowns Ladies reach historic CAF final

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are a match away from creating history after reaching the inaugural edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League.

The Pretoria ladies reached the final this past weekend after registering a 5-4 penalty shootout victory against Equatorial Guinea’s Malabo Kings in the second semi-final clash at the El Salam Stadium in Cairo.

Both teams could not find the back of the net after 120 minutes and spot-kicks were required to settle the contest.

In a dramatic shootout, Captain Nhlapho, Bambanani Mbane, Lerato Kgasago and Nhlanhla Mthandi all scored their respective spot-kicks while Chantelle Esau missed the opportunity to seal the deal as the penalty kicks headed to sudden death.

Bongiwe slotted her effort confidently while Florence Fanta missed for the Kings to hand the victory to the Chloorkop side.

Thanks to her overall agility and athleticism between the sticks, Andile Dlamini was named ‘Woman of the Match’ – an award she dedicated to the Yellow Nation.

“I am very excited to have been named as the winner of this award. I wish to thank everyone back home in South Africa for the support and warm wishes. This award is dedicated to the Yellow Nation.

“It was a very physical game and I am very excited that we grabbed our place in the final of this prestigious competition,” said Dlamini.

Speaking after the game, Downs Jerry Tshabalala was full of praise for his charges who left it all on the pitch.

“I must say I am feeling several shades of emotions right now ranging from nervousness to excitement. I am very delighted that we have booked our spot in the final. Today, we gave our best throughout the game,” he said.

“We showed our mettle as we created a couple of good chances. Although we could not convert those opportunities, I am very happy with the performance of my team. Defensively, we were top-notch yet again and that gives me joy.

“We are 90 minutes or so from making history and we are ready to leave it all again on the pitch on Friday,” said the highly experienced tactician.

The Brazilians remain the only team in Egypt yet to concede at the continent’s premier women’s tournament, an astonishing run that has spanned almost 390 minutes of football without shipping in any goal.

The shootout victory means Sundowns Ladies will compete in the first-ever Women’s African Champions League final and will square off against Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies in Friday’s historic final.

The Ghanaians registered a 2-1 win against Morocco’s ASFAR in the first semi-final match of the day.

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