Coach Agnes ‘Madala’ Nkosi has backed Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies to find their scoring boots as the Continental Champions face Zambia’s Green Buffaloes in the 2022 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier final on Saturday.
After crushing Mozambique’s Costa do Sol 8-1 in their opening game, The Brazilians were held to a 1-1 draw by a resolute Double Action Ladies from Botswana in their second fixture. However, Double Action secured a 2-0 win over Costa do Sol to wrap up Group A proceedings.
Thanks to a superior goal difference, the Chloorkop-based side finished as Group A winners with four points and a goal difference of +7 while Double Action Ladies finished with a goal difference of +2.
Despite the 1-1 draw against Double Action Ladies, Coach Agnes believes the team will be gunning to make amends in Saturday’s final.
“Our opponents from Botswana gave a good account of themselves. It was not an easy game at all because they contested for every ball and dominated the key battles across the pitch. Before the match, I spoke about the unpredictability of the game of football because there are no pushovers in the sport anymore. It’s incredible to see how much momentum the women’s game is gaining across the continent. Nevertheless, the final allows us to showcase our attacking capabilities once again. We simply cannot wait,” stated Madala.
Having secured a spot in the final, Vice-captain Karabo Makhurubetshi believes the team will need to be at their best against Green Buffaloes.
“Despite the draw against Double Action Ladies, we successfully achieved our first goal which was to reach the final of the competition. The main objective for us is to retain our title and we are working round the clock to ensure there are no upsets. These are the moments where true champions are forged and the mandate for us on Saturday is clear,” declared Makhurubetshi.
By virtue of being defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies already had an automatic passage to the 2022 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco later this year.
More so, their Zambian opponents, Green Buffaloes have also reached the tournament in Morocco by finishing as Group B winners.
With qualification to Morocco assured, both teams will be looking to clinch the second edition of the COSAFA Qualifier.
Double Action Ladies and Olympique de Moroni will face off in the Bronze medal match also on Saturday.
