A hat-trick by Andisiwe Mgcoyi saw Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies get their Cosafa Caf Women’s Champions League qualifiers on a brilliant note, with the South Africans thrashing Lesotho Defence Force 6-0 in a Group A clash at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Thursday.
Sundowns were brilliant from the start, owning possession and creating chances, but they could only score two in the first half.
Banyana Banyana striker Mgcoyi opened the scoring in the 15th minute, putting Sundowns Ladies in the driver’s seat.
It didn’t take long for the second goal to come, as another national team player Rhoda Mulaudzi getting her name on the score-sheet five minutes after the first goal.
In the second half, Downs kept on taking control of the match, with Defence Force finding it hard to match the Brazilians.
Melinda made it 3-0 for Downs in the 58th minute. But the team from Pretoria didn’t stop there as Mgcoyi scored her second and third goal of the match within between 66th and 68th minute, making it 5-0.
Substitute Boitumelo Rabale put nail into the coffin with a well taken free-kick towards the end of match to make is 6-0.
Sundowns could have easily more goals in this game, with Morifi Chuene, who had a fantastic game unfortunate not to have found the back of the net, while Mulaudzi could have added to her only goal of the match.
But, coach Jerry Tshabalala should be pleased with his team’s performance, but now they don’t have time to rest with the team set to meet Botswana based side Double Action FC in two days.
The side from Botswana also had a great start into the tournament, securing a 3-0 victory over Manzini Warriors of Eswatini.
Loane Moloi’s goal in the first half, was followed by Lesego Radiakanyo and Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse goals in the second half.
Downs will have to ensure they bring they maintain their performance, with Action looking very eager to do well in the tournament.
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