CAF Women's Leage

CAF Women’s Champions League: Reigning champions aiming at record third title

Published

42 mins ago

November 4, 2024

The countdown to the CAF Women’s Champions League continues with Sunday, 03 November marking exactly 6 days to go before kick-off in Morocco.

The North African nation plays host to Africa’s premium women’s club competition between 09 – 23 November where eight strong African women’s clubs will contest the coveted CAF Women’s Champions League trophy.

The inaugural final of the CAF Women’s Champions League held on 19 November 2021 , at the 20 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, was much more than just a football match; it was a historic moment for African women’s football.

The day marked the start of what has become the dream competition for young women footballers across Africa.

South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, who went on to be crowned champions did so in style after winning all their group matches before edging Malabo Kings in the Semi-Finals.

The South Africans met Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies in the final who also had a superb run in the group stages and semi-finals where they overcame AS FAR, with Evelyn Badu being a shining star.

The historic final, equally contested eventually went the way of the South Africans who were more clinical in goal.

The speedy and skilful Chuene Morifi found the opener in the first half before veteran striker, Andisiwe Mgcoyi sealed the victory in the second half, as Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League queens.

The South Africans could not defend their title the following year after being overcome in the final by AS FAR of Morocco. However, it was in the 2023 edition in Cote d’Ivoire where they reclaimed their title in style to be crowned champions for the second time.

The South Africans head up north to contest what would be a record third CAF Women’s Champions League title in four years.

-CAF

CAF Women's Leage

CAF Women’s Champions League: Sharpshooters, Jraidi, Badu and Tholakele

Published

5 mins ago

November 4, 2024

Kunle Solaja

With the clock ticking to the kick off of the CAF Women’s Champions League, today marks exactly five days to the start of much-anticipated continental competition.

Morocco plays hosts to the fourth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League between 09 – 23 November where eight nations from across the continent will be aiming at dethroning reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns who are aiming at lifting the title for the third time in four years.

CAFOnline takes a look at some of the tournament’s sharpshooters who will be looking at finding the back of the net again this year.

First is the lethal Ibtissam Jraidi of AS FAR, who remains the highest goalscorer in the history of the tournament, with a total of six goals scored in 2022.

Jraidi played a crucial role in AS FAR’s 2022 historical run that saw them clinch the title.

Not only was she a serial goal poacher but was instrumental in being the team’s first line of defense with her aggression when the team was out of possession.

Some of the highlights include her decisive goal in the semi-finals against Bayelsa Queens as well as the brace scored against the then champions, Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.

Next is 19-year-old sensation, Evelyn Badu of Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana. Her ability to position herself in the decisive moments has been nothing short of remarkable for her age.

Coupled with good vision and calmness, Badu was instrumental in her sides’ impressive run in the inaugural edition where they went on to face Mamelodi Sundowns.

She concluded the tournament with five goals to her name.

Last but certainly not least is of course Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ Refilwe Tholakele.

The deadly forward alongside her striking partner, Boitumelo Rabale formed a lethal duo at the last edition in Egypt.

Tholakele found the back of the net five times, with the help of her teammates and will be looking at continuing in her rich vein of form when the defending champions aim to extend their dominance on the continent.

-CAF