Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are gearing up for their massive semifinal battle against Morocco’s AS FAR on Wednesday.
The Brazilians breezed through the group stages with a 100% record. They beat Tanzania’s JKT Queens 2-0, secured a 1-0 win against Morocco’s SC Casablanca and enjoyed a dominant 3-0 victory over the host team, Athletico Abidjan, in their final group game.
Although many have billed the semifinal clash as a revenge mission for Banyana Ba Style, Coach Jerry believes the team’s objective remains the same irrespective of any specific opponent.
“We are not in the competition to beat AS FAR. We are in this tournament to win the tournament, and if we meet AS FAR, then we meet them. It then means that for us to win the tournament, we have to get a positive result against them. It’s a highly anticipated game and our preparations will always be thorough no matter the opponent,” Coach Tshabalala stated.
Wednesday’s clash will mean that Sundowns Ladies and AS FAR will become the most-played fixture at the continent’s premier women’s tournament with three matches played. Both teams played out a 0-0 draw at the 2021 Group Stages and the Moroccans prevailed in last year’s final.
“Statistically, AS FAR has the upper hand and we are aware of the numbers. But we must acknowledge that the games are different and the contexts are also different, thus expectations are different. The first meeting was in Egypt, the second was in Morocco and this is in Cote d’Ivoire, so there are different contexts. As much as stats say some stories, they don’t play the game and we are determined to get the upper hand this time around,” the Downs coach added.
The Brazilians have already secured a 1-0 victory over Moroccan opponents in the current tournament, thanks to a fine header by Melinda Kgadiete in the second group game against Sporting Club Casablanca.
The Masandawana tactician adds that his side will treat Wednesday’s fixture like any other one, saying, “The game is like any other game; the only difference will be the tactical approach. We have to be spot on in the way we apply ourselves because we are up against another tactically sound side.
For us to be champions, we don’t have to be afraid to face anyone. To be champions of the continent, you need to get results in the tough games and that is what we are determined to do.”
The game between Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and AS FAR will take place on Wednesday, November 15th, at the Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly in Korhogo, with kick-off set for 19:00 CAT.
All the best for this evening’s match we get past this hurdle tonight then we are one game away from reclaiming what belongs to us
Congratulations to our beautiful girls for their gallant fighting spirit, you are now 1 game away from adding to the current celebrations in the team, I am very proud to be part of this team, ka bo yellow i remain.
Serious there’s something big that our team Downs or Management are doing daar at Chloorkop,people they must stop being jealous and seek why are we always successful, look now our ladies are in the final,bayoze bavume nabangafuni it’s written on the stars,kby forever