The University of Western Cape FC have won their first game at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions league, overcoming Senegal champions Aigles de la Médina 2-nil at the Ben Ahmed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024.
Captain Amogelang Motau led from the front with a sensational performance that saw her receive the player of the match accolade, and goals in a much-improved second-half performance came from Molatelo Kobo coming off the bench and Ntobifikile Ndlovu in the 50th and 66th minutes, respectively, to give UWC a fighting chance of progressing to the quarterfinals in their maiden appearance at the prestigious continental club tournament.
This result comes after an opening match day 2-0 defeat to TP Mazembe. Coach Thinasonke Mbuli says it was extremely vital to secure maximum points. “I think we needed the win more than performance today.
“We knew it was going to be tough and we knew that there’s a possibility that they might not play like how we analysed them against AS FAR and they did exactly that. So we had to quickly adjust to how they were playing today. I’m not happy with how we missed chances for the first half.”
UWC Ladies FC Head Coach, Thinasonke Mbuli
“I mean, we could have went to first half maybe leading two or three goals. That now put us under pressure second half, because now two nil is not a good result, because if they get one then we are under pressure.”
“But I think I’ll take three points and the effort from the players and, because last 10-15 minutes we were under a lot of pressure, then they could manage to absorb the pressure and then finish the game with a clean sheet.”
The Banyana Banyana assistant coach had a few niggling injuries in her team during the game but says she awaits a report from the medical team.
“I think the medical team has two days, match-day minus two tomorrow, match-day minus one to assess them. I haven’t received a report that says maybe they can’t play the next match,” said Mbuli.
“So we are pleased with recovery now once we are done with that or get the report. But I hope that we can have everyone again available for the next match. As you saw today, the subs were the ones who made the change so we’re going to need everyone available for the next match.”
The next assignment for the University of Western Cape will be against 2022 champions AS FAR on Friday.
“So we watched them first match. We’re gonna have an opportunity again now to watch them against Mazembe. A good side. They rotate the ball very well. Comfortable on the ball. Good combination play. Again gonna demand a lot from us,” coach Mbuli continued.
“If we don’t win our 1v1 package we’re gonna have a problem again. But at least like I said we had a recovery recently, tomorrow and then we have match-day minus one to prepare for that,” she said.
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 Aigles de la Médina on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024
16 Thandeka Ngcobo (GK)
4 Baba Mhlakaza
8 Sinegugu Zondi
13 Fikile Magama
22 Lonathemba Mhlongo
5 Tiffany Kortjie
7 Ntombenifikile Fiona Ndlovu
15 Khanyisa Manengela
19 Amogelang Motau (C)
21 Sibulele Holweni
9 Khanya Xesi
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
16:00 Mamelodi Sundowns vs CBE
19:00 Edu Queens vs FC Masar
Group A Fixtures on Friday, 15 November, 2024
19:00 Aigles de la Médina vs TP Mazembe
19:00 University of the Western Cape vs AS FAR
Group B Fixtures on Saturday, 16 November, 2024
19:00 Edu Queens vs Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
19:00 FC Masar vs CBE Women
Main Photo Caption: A photo for the Ages – The University of Western Cape FC make history with their first-ever CAF Women’s Champions league win, overcoming Senegal champions Aigles de la Médina 2-nil at the Ben Ahmed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024. Photo: UWC FC
Photo 2 Caption: Team Graphic. Photo: CAF
Photo 3 Caption: UWC skipper Amogelang Motau allows a wry smile after the final whistle confirmed the first-ever CAF WCL win by a University team. Photo: CAF
Photo 4 Caption: Molatelo Kobo came off the bench to open scoring for the 50th minute to reward the Western Cape side with a slim advantage. Photo: CAF
Photo 5 Caption: Early celebrations ensued once the second goal established a clear lead for the UWC Ladies FC. Photo: CAF
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