The 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League has come to an unfortunate close for both Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and the University of the Western Cape (UWC), as their group stage campaigns ended with heartbreaking defeats.
Sundowns’ Heartbreaking Exit
Sundowns’ hopes of defending their title were crushed in dramatic fashion.
The Banyana Ba Style squad took a 1-0 lead deep into stoppage time against Nigerian side Edo Queens, only to concede two goals in the dying minutes.
The match, played at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, ended 2-1, leaving Sundowns with only one win and two losses in the group stage, totaling three points.
This result saw them finish third in Group B, eliminating them from the competition.
Despite the disappointment, Sundowns had an incredible run in previous seasons, but their bid to retain the title came to a sudden halt, leaving fans and players devastated.
UWC Ladies’ First CAF Appearance Ends in Defeat
For UWC Ladies, this year’s CAF Women’s Champions League was their debut, but they were also unable to make it past the group stages.
In their final match on Friday, they suffered a 2-0 loss to AS FAR Rabat of Morocco at the Stade Ben M’Hamed El Abdi.
The result meant UWC finished third in Group A with three points, having won just one game and lost two.
Although their time in the competition was brief, UWC made history as the second South African team to participate, following in the footsteps of Sundowns, who have a remarkable track record in the tournament with two titles and two runner-up finishes.
Coach Mbuli Reflects on UWC’s Performance
Despite the loss, UWC coach Thinasonke Mbuli expressed pride in her team’s performance.
She acknowledged the challenges of competing against some of Africa’s top teams but praised her players for their bravery and determination.
“I’m very proud because this is our first time in this tournament,” Mbuli said after the match.
“My team played with the fearlessness we show in training every day. We controlled the game and created more chances than AS FAR.
I knew we couldn’t afford to miss those chances, or they’d finish the game, but overall, I’m happy with our performance, especially against the second-best team in Africa.”
While they didn’t achieve the desired results, Mbuli emphasized the growth of the team, noting that this experience would be valuable moving forward.
She also wished AS FAR the best, recognizing their technical excellence.
What Lies Ahead for Sundowns and UWC?
With both teams eliminated, the future for Sundowns and UWC lies in regrouping and reflecting on their performances.
Sundowns will undoubtedly focus on rebuilding for next season, while UWC will look to build on this debut performance in future competitions.
While the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League didn’t go as hoped, both teams have shown they are forces to be reckoned with in African women’s football.
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