Menzi Magubane
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies made history on Friday night by becoming the first-ever CAF Women’s Champions League champions. Banyana Ba Style defeated Hasaacas Ladies from Ghana 2-0 in the final held in Cairo, Egypt.
Downs put on a brilliant performance throughout the entire tournament and lifted the cup without conceding a single goal in five matches and scored four in the process.
The last two of those goals came in the final, Chuene Morifi scoring in the first half and Andisiwe Mgcoyi in the second. Downs are now the first Southern African Ladies team to ever win both Cosafa Champions League and CAF Champions League in the same year.
They also joined Spanish giants Barcelona as the only football clubs to win the men’s and women’s Champions League titles on their respective continents. Downs’ men’s team won their title in 2016.
Even President Cyril Ramaphosa took to Twitter on Friday night to congratulate the girls.
“You’ve done your club and country proud. Well done and enjoy your celebration,” said the President.
Downs are set to lift their third cup this year when they return home tomorrow. They are four matches away from retaining their Hollywoodbet Super League.
The team are already sitting pretty at the top of the log table with 68 points while second placed TUT Ladies have 52.
Downs’ CAF triumph will not only bring smiles to all associated with the club but also to Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis.
Ellis will have a pool of players to choose from with CAF African Cup of Nations qualifiers coming early next year. The tournament will be hosted in Morocco with the date still to be confirmed.
Four teams from there will represent Africa in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Image source: @MamelodiSundownsLadies
