A proud University of Western Cape FC bowed out of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League following their 2-nil loss to Moroccan champions AS FAR at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, on Friday, 15 November, 2024.
UWC showed intent and were attacking in the first half, searching for the opening goal, but the tournament host nation’s defence was resolute and disciplined.
A penalty by young sensation, Player of the Match Doha El Madani and her follow-up in the 60th minute gave the unbeaten AS FAR a third win is as many matches, to conclude the group stages at the summit of Group A to continue their title chase in the semi-finals scheduled for Tuesday.
For the South African debutants, they go back home with plenty of lessons and a performance they can be proud of, the continental stage is not for the faint-hearted and the tournament’s debut University team from the Western Cape in South Africa gave a good account of themselves.
“I feel very proud, because this is the first time in this tournament my team played the way they train, this is us everyday.”
The University of Western Cape FC Head Coach, Thinasonke Mbuli
Coach Mbuli also reflected on the action on the field of play.
“Today we played without fear, we were in control of the game and we created many chances than them, but I knew if we keep on missing chances they will get one or two and finish the game, but overall performance – I’m happy especially playing against the 2nd best team in Africa.
Mbuli added: “We didn’t get the results, but I’ll take this home. AS FAR is technically good, and I wish them well, but I’m still supporting Sundowns.”
As for AS FAR, the home team now looks ahead to their fourth consecutive appearance in the semi-final stage of the competition, against opponents to be decided on Saturday, when the CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 round-robin fixtures conclude with the final Group B matches.
Saturday’s action sees reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns take on Nigeria’s Edo Queens, and Egypt’s FC Masar faces Central Bank of Ethiopia FC in the final group-stage matches of the continental showpiece.
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 AS FAR on Friday, 15 November, 2024
16 Thandeka Ngcobo (GK)
2 Unathi Simayile
4 Baba Mhlakaza
5 Tiffany Kortjie
7 Ntombenifikile Fiona Ndlovu
8 Sinegugu Zondi
9 Khanya Xesi
13 Fikile Magama
19 Amogelang Motau (C)
21 Sibulele Holweni
22 Lonathemba Mhlongo
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
19:00 Edo Queens vs Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
19:00 FC Masar vs CBE Women
Semi-Finals on Tuesday, 19 November, 2024
16:00 TBD vs TP Mazembe
19:00 FAR Rabat vs TBD
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: Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies gave their best against CBE FC to give themselves the best possible chance to qualify for the knock-out rounds of the CAF Women’s Champions League Finals 2024 at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco, on Wednesday, 13 November, 2024. Photo: UWC FC
Photo 2 Caption: With Player of the Match opening scoring for her first of two, Melinda Kgadiete lead Sundowns to score four times in 20 minutes before half time. Photo: CAF
Photo 2 Caption: Boitumelo Rabale was delighted to sink her goal at 24 minutes into the game for Mamelodi Sundown’s third of the match. Photo: CAF
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