Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies got a fairytale ending to their CAF Women’s Champions League as they beat SC Casablanca 3–0 in the final at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly on Sunday, 19 November 2023.
Banyana Ba Style showed just why they are three-times finalists, with a dominating performance over their Moroccan opponents in in Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
Having lost in last year’s final, there was no doubt that Sundowns Ladies would be going all out to ensure that they secured their second title in three years, and that is precisely what they did.
None other than Refilwe Tholakele opened the scoring for Masandawana after VAR awarded a penalty for a handball in the box. She made no mistake and gave her team the lead in the 21st minute.
Just three minutes later the Sundowns Ladies lead was doubled, this time thanks to Boitumelo Rabale, who sunk the ball into the silver medallists’ net from open play after a pin-point assist.
When the match resumed in the second half, SC Casablanca tried to create more opportunities but the Pretoria-based side’s defence made sure they kept their opponents at bay.
Tholakele then scored her brace in the 78th minute, adding a fitting final touch to her outstanding performances in the competition, finishing the tournament as top scorer.
This victory enriches their trophy cabinet with another continental cup title after their first Champions League win in the inaugural season in 2021.
Speaking to cafonline.com, Sundowns Ladies coach Jerry Tshabalala says he is already targeting more success after his team’s’ victory last night.
“When you see me happy, I try to rub it onto my players. A happy player will always deliver results for the team. We want to keep on doing good. Now the target, we are hoping that one day we will have a (Women’s) Club World Cup, and we will go represent as the African champions.”
This was SC Casablanca’s first Champions League final and their coach Mehdi El Qaichori told cafonline.com that this match was not only good for his team, but also for women’s football on the continent.
“It was a good experience from the team. I want to congratulate Mamelodi Sundowns for the win. They played very well today and were the better team. This was a great tournament which is also good for women’s football in Africa.”
The Brazilians will also pocket R7,3 million ($400 000) as the winners of the competition.
Photo caption: Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies got a fairytale ending to their CAF Women’s Champions League as they beat SC Casablanca 3–0 in the final at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly on Sunday, 19 November 2023. Photo: CAF Women on X
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