Hollywoodbets Super League champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will represent Cosafa at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals in the Ivory Coast in November after being crowned the 2023 regional champions at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Friday.
Sundowns made a fast start with Chuene Morifi picking out Refilwe Tholakele in the box but the Botswana international could not find the back of the net in the opening two minutes against her compatriots.
A few minutes later Morifi, who has the most assists at this year’s tournament, opened the scoring with a beautiful strike from range to also get her third goal of the campaign.
Nonhlanhla Mthandi had two chances to extend the lead in the first half but the first attempt went over the bar while the second was saved by Bame Mokime.
Zanele Nhlapho also had an opportunity to make it 2-0 in the stanza with a header from a corner but it was also saved by Mokime.
Mthandi was eventually rewarded with a goal early in the second half and extended the lead to 2-0 scoring goal number 21 for the Brazilians.
It will be Sundowns third appearance at the continental finals having tasted glory in 2021, before losing to Moroccan side FAR Rabat last year.
For the Botswana champions, they will take solace in the fact that they made the final for the first time at the qualifiers and go home as silver medallists, their best ever finish.
Meanwhile, earlier in the third place playoff, Costa Do Sol made history for themselves too as they beat defending champions Green Buffaloes 2-1.
Neide Maconho scored late in the first half while Emilia Cazembe scored the winner in the second stanza to help the Mozambican champions to deny Buffaloes a place on the podium.
Salome Phiri’s late goal could not do much for the only woman coached side left in the tournament on the final day.
Double Action’s Lesego Radiokanyo was named Player of the Tournament, while Sundowns’ Andisiwe Mgcoyi was the Golden Boot based on minutes played, assists and fair play.
Sundowns’ Andile Dlamini won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, while Double Action took home the Fair Play award. – cosafa.com
