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Sundowns ladies kickoff Women’s Champions League with a bang
Melinda Kgadiete's solitary strike was enough to earn Banyana ba Style the victory.
Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrating Melinda Kgadiete’s goal against Vihiga Queens during the CAF Women’s Champions League in Cairo. Picture: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns ladies and Banyana Banyana striker Melinda Kgadiete took her fine form to the continent as her solitary goal earned Sundowns an important 1-0 victory over Kenyan oufit Vihiga Queens in their opening Women’s Champions League Group B match at El Salam Stadium in Cairo on Saturday.
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It was a perfect start into the game for Banyana Ba Style as Kgadiete beat Lilian Onyango, with the goal coming in just three minutes into the match. The goal would put the Kenyan outfit under pressure, as they went on a quest to cancel the South Africans lead.
But, Downs ladies were eager to get more goals, with Chuene Morifi’s pace giving the opponents a nightmare. In the 23rd minute, a combination play by Kgadiete and Andisiwe Mqcoyi almost resulted into Downs getting their second goal of the match, but the Queens defence managed to stop them on their tracks.
Six minutes later, Asa Rabalao was called into play following an attack by Queens, but she was able to make a comfortable save to keep Sundowns on the lead. Towards half-time, Queens were awarded a free-kick outside the box with many of their players going forward, but the Sundowns defence managed to clear the ball away.
The side from Kenya became desperate to get back into the game in the second half as their chase for a goal to level the scores wasn’t materialising.
Queens started to play some long balls getting them into Downs box, but fortunately, Bambanani Mbane and the rest of Banyana Ba Style backline were able to deal with the danger.
But, the Kenyan’s almost came close to scoring in the 65th minute, but Rabalao made a great save to deny them.
The tie became more and more intense towards the end, but still, Downs couldn’t get extend their lead, while Queens found it difficult to unlock the Sundowns back-four or Rabalao.
Next for Downs ladies is a clash against Nigeria based side Rivers Angels at the same venue on 9 November.
