Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mothobi Mvala has shared his thoughts ahead of Banyana Ba Style’s CAF Women’s Champions League final against fierce rivals AS FAR in Egypt on Sunday, backing the Tshwane side to clinch a historic third continental crown.
Sundowns Ladies will lock horns with the Moroccan giants at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Sunday, 15 November, with kick-off scheduled for 17:00 CAT.
The high-stakes showdown is a repeat of the 2022 final, where AS FAR claimed a commanding 4-0 victory over the Tshwane side to lift their maiden continental title.
With both clubs currently tied on two CAF Women’s Champions League triumphs apiece, Sunday’s winner will make history as the first team to lift the coveted trophy three times.
WHY MOTHOBI MVALA BELIEVES SUNDOWNS LADIES WILL CONQUER AS FAR
Speaking ahead of the decider, Mvala acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge against a familiar continental foe, but backed the Sundowns women’s side to ride their current momentum to glory.
“Yeah, first I’d like to congratulate the ladies for reaching the final. I think they’re going to play a very tough game, you know, AS FAR are our biggest rivals in football,” Mvala told the club’s media team.
“So, I think it’s going to be a very tough game for the ladies, but we believe in them. You know, they’ve worked hard to be where they are now, and I think they have momentum. So, we want to say all the best, guys; you can do it and bring the trophy home.”
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Banyana Ba Style booked their ticket to the final in emphatic fashion with a 4-1 semi-final victory over Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim on Wednesday, while AS FAR edged Cameroon’s Lekié Football Filles 1-0 in the other last-four tie.
Mvala praised the squad’s cohesion, set-piece threat—singling out Banyana Banyana defender Bambanani Mbane—and adherence to the club’s attacking identity.
“I think the team, I can say ihlangene [has gelled], and I think they have a very good squad, you know. I even saw Bambanani [Mbane] on set pieces—she’s very strong, and she can score on set pieces. So, anyone in their team can score, and they defend well,” Mvala added.
“Playing in the Champions League, everyone knows—whether it’s women or men—it’s always tough. You know, it’s all about pride; you play for the supporters, you want to make yourself happy, and you want to leave a mark on the field.
“I think the girls are doing a very good job. And then their coach [Godfrey Sapula], you know, you can see that the way they’re playing is the way Sundowns plays—that’s the Sundowns style of play. I have the belief that the girls are going to do well and bring it back home.”
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