After retaining their Hollywoodbets Super League title in style, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will be aiming to repeat the same feat as they switch their attentions to the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Brazilians head into the continent’s premier women’s tournament in top form having clinched the Hollywoodbets Super League with several games to spare.
The Brazilians have accumulated 73 points, with 24 wins in 27 games, scoring 112 goals and conceding just 11 times. Banyana Ba Style has also achieved a mammoth goal difference of +101.
Incredibly, Masandawana still has three league games left to play which have been rescheduled after the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Despite the dominance, Captain Zanele Nhlapho reckons it’s been one of the toughest seasons of her career.
“We are very excited that we have wrapped up the league as we prepare to compete in the CAF Women’s Champions League. Although our league statistics are very good, it was quite difficult to achieve them this time around. Several teams faced us with low defensive blocks in a bid to negate our attacking prowess, thus, teams were more difficult to beat. It shows that the league is improving as teams are investing in quality players and experienced coaches. It was one of the toughest seasons ever for me as a professional player,” the captain stated.
For this year’s competition, The Brazilians are drawn into Group B alongside Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens, Egypt’s Wadi Degla, and Congo’s TP Mazembe. Group A contains Morocco’s AS FAR, Tanzania’s Simba Queens, Zambia’s Green Buffaloes, and Liberia’s Determine Girls FC.
Last year, Banyana Ba Style registered a 2-0 final victory over Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies to emerge as the first-ever winners of the prestigious tournament. The Hollywoodbets Super League champions achieved that feat without conceding a single goal.
Nhlapho further believes that the team’s winning mentality and resilience will face tougher tests in the year’s competition.
“The tough opposition we have faced in the Hollywoodbets Super League has given us a preview of what to expect in Morocco. Several teams will be looking to become the first to score against us and even dethrone us. We are well aware that we will be facing some of the best women’s teams across the continents. Several new teams will be participating; therefore, we will have to be spot-on with our tactics throughout the competition. We are not taking any team for granted and we need to be vigilant at all times in Morocco,” Captain Zanele concluded.
Last week, the CAF’s Communication Department announced that the winners of the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League will take home a cash prize of $400,000, while the runners-up would take $250,000.
The continent’s premier women’s tournament is expected to run from 30 October 2022 to 13 November 2022 in Morocco.
Sundowns Ladies will play against Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens in their opening game on the 31st of October 2022.
Go defend your crown ladies…. You know you have our support
We wish you all the best of luck in your endevours to retain the trophy. It is not going to be easy as teams will be determined to dethrone you, however, as Sundowns followers we have confidence in the team. Go there and perform to your best abilities and the results will tell. It would be very encouraging if you retain the title.