Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have been placed in Group A of the prestigious CAF Women’s Championship League qualifiers where they will compete in the COSAFA region of the competition that will serve as a qualifier for the first ever CAF Women’s Champions League that is scheduled to take place later this year.
The draw for the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers for Southern Africa zone of Cosafa took place on Thursday, 29 July at COSAFA House.
Commenting on the draw, Masandawana Ladies Coach, Jerry Tshabalala said: “Great draw. [It’s] an exciting group that we find ourselves in. We’re drawn with teams from our neighbouring countries [which are] Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland. I am very happy about that.”
The draw provided fascinating ties within the seven teams being split into two groups with Sundowns Ladies drawn in a group that consists of four teams.
Coach Jerry noted the pros and cons that his side will be faced with going into this tournament.
“The advantage is that it will give us enough time [to prepare], we will be able to catch up with the momentum of the team and it will give us a fair opportunity to see how the other teams are playing.”
“But being in a group of, the disadvantage will be less rest for the team because you play more games, possibly with only one day to rest then you must go through to the semis.”, said coach Jerry.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the semifinals. The Brazilians are currently in good form in the domestic league, undefeated since the beginning of the Hollywoodbets Super League, which was suspended following the implementation of lockdown restrictions.
This is the first time COSAFA is hosting a club competition, with the winner advancing to the continental showpiece event that is set for later this year.
“What we just need to do is to go out there and win our group. By winning our group it gives us a fair chance to be able to put one foot into Cairo.”
“I believe the girls are looking forward to this one. We have been given a chance to go out there to showcase our talent as Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and to see if we can’t emulate our men’s team to bring the star back home.” concluded the reigning Champions coach, Jerry Tshabalala.
The qualifiers will be played from August 26 to September 4.
CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers for Southern Africa zone groups:
Group A
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Lesotho Defence Force (Lesotho)
Double Action Ladies (Botswana)
Manzini Wanderers (Eswatini)
Group B
Green Buffaloes (Zambia)
Black Rhino Queens (Zimbabwe)
Tura Magic (Namibia).
We can do it with the good squad we have.
Sowetan teams are busy laughing and ridiculing us since they are signing our former players but one thing I can tell them We will do the talking on the field I really trust the Wisemen even though it seems we will not sign a marque player like Mbule or Vaca Ponce but we are covered in all departments can’t wait for the games begins,Kby forever