Sundowns Ladies and UWC sent packing in Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) were sent packing from the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League after the conclusion of the group stage matches on Friday and Saturday.

Banyana Ba Style’s hopes of defending their CAF Women’s Champions League title were dashed after a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Nigerian side Edo Queens. Despite taking a 1-0 lead deep into stoppage time, Sundowns conceded two late goals at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Saturday night.

As a result of the shocking defeat, Jerry Tshabalala’s troops finished their group stage campaign with a record of one win and two losses, accumulating a total of three points. This result sees them placed third in Group B, ultimately eliminating them from the competition.

Meanwhile, UWC Ladies, in their debut season, also saw their journey in the CAF Women’s Champions League end in the group stages.

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE ELIMINATED FROM THE CAF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UWC Ladies suffered a 2-0 defeat to the hosts AS FAR Rabat of Morocco on Friday evening at the Stade Ben M’Hamed El Abdi in El Jadida.

The Thinasonke Mbuli-coached side finished third in Group A with three points from three outings. UWC Ladies only won one game and lost two.

This year’s tournament marked UWC’s debut in the CAF Women’s Champions League. They were the second South African team to participate, following the success of Sundowns Ladies, who have won the title twice and been runners-up twice.

WHAT UWC LADIES’ COACH MBULI SAID AFTER THE ELIMINATION

UWC coach Mbuli expressed pride in her players’ performance, highlighting their fearless approach despite it being their debut appearance in the tournament.

“I feel very proud because this is the first time in this tournament,” said Mbuli. “My team played the way they train; this is us every day; today [Friday], we played without fear, we were in control of the game, and we created many more chances than them [AS FAR].

“But I knew if we keep on missing chances, they will get one or two and finish the game, but overall performance, I’m happy, especially playing against the second-best team in Africa.

“We didn’t get the results, but I’ll take this home. AS FAR is technically good, and I wish them well…”

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