Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC have been eliminated from the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, this after a shock 2-1 defeat to Edo Queens of Nigeria in their final 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League group-stage match at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca in Morocco, on Saturday, 16 November, 2024.
Melinda Kgadieta’s goal in the 23rd minute put the South African five-time champions in the lead but two goals in the dying minutes of the game, one by Emem Essien in the referee’s added time and then Mary Mamudu’s final nail in the coffin in the last seconds of added time, ensured the West Africans not only caused heartache for the side that came in as favourites, but also booked themselves a spot in the semi-finals of the continental showpiece.
Coach Jerry Tshabalala reflects on the game stating that they could’ve manage the game better: “Yeah, look, a disappointing performance from the team. But I think first half we executed the plan very well. We pressed them very high in terms of not allowing them any space on the ball and it worked out for us. We even got a goal out of that plan.
“Second half when we came back, I spoke to the guys and said as much as we are leading we’ve got to manage the game better. And the only way to manage the game better is to play closer to one another. And don’t try to lose the ball as much as possible. But unfortunately the Queens also showed character. They showed that they wanted more. So I think we ended up defending too deep.”
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Head Coach, Jerry Tshabalala
Sundowns were hoping to win this title for the third time after being crowned champions in 2021 and 2023. Tshabalala highlights some key errors committed by his charges.
“We even tried to adjust tactically in terms of the system that we played. Maybe let’s see if we can have four in the back and five in the middle and remain with one striker. But it wasn’t to be.”
“When you look in terms of the number of chances that they created, they created more chances than us. I don’t think we created a lot of scoring opportunity in this game. But it was a very, very intense game.
“Look, to be honest, I don’t think we showed any hunger to say we wanted more. If you come to a tournament and you start on a negative, it’s going to be a bit difficult for us to bounce back. But we’ve tried to show character to come back in the second game, which the third game wasn’t to be. I think the girls fought for this game. They gave it their all. But we didn’t defend nicely as a team.”
For the first time, two South African teams represented the nation in the CAF Women’s Champions League, only for both to exit at the first hurdle. The top Hollywoodbets Super League sides will each walk away with $150,000 (approximately R2.6 million) for their participation.
The gsport award-winning coach Tshabalala and UWC FC coach Thinasonke Mbuli will have plenty to work on as they continue to cement South Africa’s status as a dominant nation in women’s club football on the continent.
“The key lesson learned from the tournament is, from the word go, we’ve got to take the tournament very, very seriously. We’ve got to be aggressive in terms of how we approach our games. I think that’s one of the lessons as a team that we’ve learned.
“Tournament games are a bit different to a league game. You’ve only got one chance to make it count. If you don’t make it count from the word go, then you’re putting yourself under pressure,” Tshabalala adds.
Debutants Egypt’s FC Masar also registered a victory over Central Bank of Ethiopia FC Ladies in their final group match to successfully book their place in the semi-finals. They join TP Mazembe and 2022 champions and hosts AS FAR in the final four.
The CAF Women’s Champions League Finals 2024
Group A
AS FAR (Morocco)
Aigles de la Médina (Senegal)
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
University of the Western Cape (South Africa)
Group B
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
FC Masar (Egypt)
CBE (Ethiopia)
Edu Queens (Nigeria)
University of the Western Cape FC Starting X1 vs Edo Queens on Saturday, 16 November, 2024
1 Andile Dlamini (GK) (C)
2 Tiisetso Mkhubela
4 Thato Letsoso
5 Asanda Hadebe
14 Lebohang Ramalepe
8 Karabo Dhlamini
10 Boitumelo Rabale
11 Melinda Kgadiete
19 Kholosa Bihana
21 Nonhlanhla Mthandi
9 Majiya Ronisha
Head Coach: Thinasonke Mbuli
Fixtures and Results of the CAF Women’s Champions League Finals 2024 in Morocco
Group A Results on Saturday, 9 November, 2024
TP Mazembe 2 – 0 University of the Western Cape
AS FAR 3 – 0 Aigles de la Médina
Group B Fixtures on Sunday, 10 November, 2024
Mamelodi Sundowns 0 – 1 FC Masar
CBE Women 0 – 3 Edu Queens
Group A Fixtures on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024
University of the Western Cape 2 – 0 Aigles de la Médina
AS FAR 3 – 1 TP Mazembe
Group B Fixtures on Wednesday, 13 November, 2024
Mamelodi Sundowns 4 – 0 CBE
Edo Queens 0 – 0 FC Masar
Group A Fixtures on Friday, 15 November, 2024
Aigles de la Médina 0 – 4 TP Mazembe
University of the Western Cape 0 – 2 AS FAR
Group B Fixtures on Saturday, 16 November, 2024
Edo Queens 2 – 1 Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
FC Masar 2 – 1 CBE Women
Semi-Finals on Tuesday, 19 November, 2024
16:00 Edo Queens vs TP Mazembe
19:00 FAR Rabat vs FC Masar
Bronze Medal Match on Friday, 22 November, 2024
19:00 TBD vs TBD
CAF Women’s Champions League Final on Saturday, 23 November, 2024
19:00 TBD vs TBD
Main Photo Caption: Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC have been eliminated from the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, this after a shock 2-1 last-minute defeat to Edo Queens of Nigeria, who came back from a goal down in extra time to win the final 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League group-stage match at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca in Morocco, on Saturday, 16 November, 2024. Photo: Edo Queens
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