Queens of African football return home to Mzansi
Congratulations are on order for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies as they return home as African Champions.
The Mzansi team beat Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies 2-0 to win the title of the first edition of TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League, and adds to the men’s team achievement of wining CAF Men’s Champions League.
The thrilling encounter took place at the Egyptian capital city on Friday evening, November 19.
Chuene Morifi started the scoring with an assist from Andisiwa Mgcoyi at the 33rd minute, then Mgcoyi herself added another goal at the 65th minute to end it 2-0 for her team, despite her teammate Regina Mogolola receiving a red card at the 92nd minute with VAR review, just 2 minutes after being subbed into the game.
Sundowns Ladies coach, Jerry Tshabalala said he’s very happy for the tournament win and explained how experience got them the coveted trophy.
“I spoke to Mgcoyi and told her that she needs to bring it to the party, and that’s what she did. I’m proud of her and the whole team”.
“I saw how Hasaacas Ladies played before. I needed to press them with three strikers. Lucky enough, they are not taller than us. We had confidence playing our football, and we frustrated Hassacas Ladies even though they played good football,” he said.
Both teams went in the finale undefeated in the group stages. They played the finest football ever witnessed and the contest was a tough one for the South Africans.
Congratulations to our girls
South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan led the praises for the ladies, saying the team had made the country proud.
“In the back of our minds, we knew our ladies would do it because from the word go, they looked the most complete side. The national professional league, the Hollywoodbets Super League has done wonders in improving the standard of women football and more is to come. By finishing the entire tournament without conceding a goal shows the vast difference between our girls and the rest of the continent. They have set the bar and now need to maintain those lofty standards,’’ said SAFA President.
Dr Jordaan said in winning the African title, Sundowns had managed to do what only Spanish giants Barcelona had managed to achieve, that is winning both men and women continental titles.
Banyana Banyana star striker Thembi Kgatlana also added her voice in showering Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies with praise following Friday’s exploits in Cairo.
“This is a huge step forward for women football in our country. I watched this match throughout and at the end of the match, I was truly proud to be a South African. Hollywoodbets Super League is proving to be a massive investment and results are there for all to see. It was the Buhari Cup and now this. These are exciting times,” she said.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, also joined in congratulating the local team, who are set to return to Mzansi on Sunday morning (November 21).
This historic feat by Mamelodi Sundowns signals a welcomed turning point in the history of women’s football for our country. My good wishes to Mamelodi Sundowns for this emphatic announcement of South Africa’s arrival at the top end of the women’s version of continental football. Theirs will unquestionably be a tough act to follow,” said the minister.