Note: This preview is translated from the original article written in French by Hilary Christelle Tolo Kpadonou
Introduction
Reigning champions of the CAF Women's Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are favorites for this fourth edition. The two-time African champions will aim for a new coronation in order to confirm their hegemony on the continent.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Football Club is the women's section of the South African club Mamelodi Sundowns. Created in 2009, this team has established itself today as one of the biggest African women's clubs, with seven national titles in South Africa's SAFA Women's League (2013, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023), and two continental titles in the Champions League, won in 2021 in Morocco (1st edition) and in 2023 in Ivory Coast (3rd edition).
In 2021, Sundowns Ladies won the COSAFA (Council of Southern African Football Associations) zonal tournament to qualify for the inaugural edition of the Champions League. They beat Ghana's Hasaacas Ladies 2-0 to claim the title, thanks to goals from Chuene Morifi and Andisiwe Mgcoyi.
Video : Road to the 2021 title (Credit : CAF TV YouTube)
During the second edition in 2022 played in Morocco, they unfortunately lost their COSAFA title, after a defeat on penalties (6-5) against the Green Buffaloes of Zambia following a 0-0 draw. However, this did not prevent them from participating in the CAF Champions League as title holders. Under the leadership of Jerry Tshabalala, the team reached the final, but played outnumbered with only nine players, and lost heavily to the host club, AS FAR, with a score of 4-0.
Korhogo for the second continental title
The third edition, played in Korhogo in Ivory Coast, saw the team remain undefeated and relentless. In their first match the Ka Bo Yellow dominated JKT Queens of Tanzania (2-0), then respectively beat SC Casablanca of Morocco and Atlético Club d'Abidjan (3-0) . This flawless performance took them to the semi-final, where they took their revenge against ASFAR, before winning their second star by beating SC Casablanca in the final (3-0). Apart from the title, they were elected Fair Play Team of the Competition and also won all the individual trophies. Refilwe Tholakele was the top scorer (5 goals), Boitumelo Rabale won Best Player and Andile Dlamini was voted Best Goalkeeper for a second time and currently holds the record.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies celebrate their second continental title in 2023
Photo Credit: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
A well-established collective
With three finals in three editions and two titles, Mamelodi Sundowns are the team to fear in this competition. The team is renowned for its possession-based style of play and 4-3-3 attacking pattern. This success is the fruit of collective work, supported by key individuals: Nonhlanhla Mthandi (23 years old, midfielder), remarkable for his dribbling, Kholosa Biyana (30 years old, midfielder) for his vision of the game and his technique, as well as Karabo Makhurubetshi (25 years old, defender) and Karabo Dhlamini (23 years old, rear) for their defensive rigor. In attack, Refilwe Tholakele Tebogo (28 years old) impresses with his sense of placement, and Andisiwe Mgcoyi (36 years old) with his efficiency in front of goal. These qualities give the team a solid backbone as well as national and continental supremacy.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Botswana national team forward Refilwe Tholakele
Photo Credit : Mamelodi Sundowns Magazine/ magazine.sundownsfc.co.za
A formidable team
Since their last coronation in Ivory Coast, the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have 14 victories and two draws in 16 matches, in all competitions (apart from two defeats in friendly matches against the American club, Kansas City (3-0) and the Japanese club, INAC Kobe (2-0)). The team has scored 44 goals and conceded only six, averaging three goals per game. With the ambition of winning a third star, it is aiming for a record: that of winning two consecutive titles and becoming the most successful club in African women's football.
For head coach Jerry Tshabalala, the team has progressed a lot and the goal remains the same: to win the title. “We gave everything throughout the season. The teams attacked us with intensity, but we didn't let that destabilize us. I'm very proud of the girls, we played very well this season. The biggest challenge remains the CAF Champions League,” he said recently during an interview with the club. Their adversaries are therefore warned.
Schedule
Group B
November 10: Mamelodi Sundowns vs FC Masar (EGY)
November 13: Mamelodi Sundowns vs CBE (ETH)
November 16: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Edo Queens (NGR)
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