Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies registered a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Congo’s TP Mazembe on Sunday to finish as Group B winners and seal a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco.
Goals from Captain Zanele Nhlapho, Lelona Daweti, Melinda Kgadiete, and Gabonnelwe Kekana ensured that Banyana Ba Style reached the last four of the continent’s premier women’s tournament for the second year running.
Andile Dlamini returned to the starting line-up in goal while Zanele Nhlapho, Karabo Makhurubetshi, Bambanani Mbane, and Chuene Morifi anchored the defense line. Lerato Kgasago, Oratile Mokwena, and Boitumelo Rabale started in midfield while in-form Lelona Daweti, Chantelle Esau, and Melinda Kgadiete started upfront.
After a highly competitive opening to the game, the Brazilians were ahead in the 18th minute thanks to a well-taken penalty by Zanele Nhlapho after Chuene Morifi was brought down in the penalty box.
The reigning continental champions continued to mount the pressure and made it 2-0 just before the half-time break, after Boitumelo Rabale’s neat pass was controlled by Melinda Kgadiete who set up Lelona Daweti for her fourth goal of the competition.
After the restart, Bambanani Mbane showed her class by turning defense into attack with a long-range defense-splitting pass in the 48th minute to tee up Kgadiete who netted her second goal of the competition.
Merveille Kanjinga was shown a late red card after a VAR consultation as TP Mazembe were reduced to ten players. The Brazilians did make the advantage count with few minutes to go thanks to a well-placed finish by substitute Gabonnelwe Kekana who made it 4-0.
Bambanani Mbane was named ‘Woman of the Match’ after her overall performance and wonderful assist.
“It was a very tough game for us because we were up against a very physical side who also needed a victory to reach the semi-final of the competition. Nevertheless, we fought as champions, and we are very proud of our performance yet again. We are also pleased with the clean sheet we achieved in this tough encounter. Overall, it was a perfect way to finish the group stage,” Bambanani stated.
In the other Group B clash, Nigeria’s Bayelsa Queens beat Egypt’s Wadi Degla by a 3-0 score line to also book a place in the semi-finals. Thus, Sundowns Ladies finished as Group B winners with 9 points, with 11 goals scored and just 1 conceded.
In the semi-final matchups, Banyana Ba Style will face Tanzania’s Simba Queens on Wednesday, while Bayelsa Queens will square off against Moroccan hosts, AS FAR.
Congratulations to our Girls!!!
Congratulations are in order, for a moment I thought T P Mazembe was going to pose a serious threat but emotions go the better of them and they never settled especially after we scored the first goal. 1 goals from 3 matches in a tournament of this magnitude that excellent. However, the real competition starts on Wednesday. Simba Queens are no pushovers as they proved against Green Buffalos. Lets continue with the same tempo should we pass the test on Wednesday I can almost smell the trophy. Can I just say something about Lelona Daweti …admittedly she’s on song lately but I feel she must be a team player … she must give the ball to the player better positioned to score, she must not think of personal goals of being top goal scorer but the team should come first. She must be selfless … The goal she score yesterday should have taught her what selflessness means … Big up to Melinda for being a team player u gave Lelona a champagne pass and she tapped in. Moments later Lelona should have done the same also with Salome at some stage and Mashigo at another point. Well done ladies we strongly behind you. Prepare thoroughly for Simba Queens. Their coach is already saying he is winning the trophy lets go out there and show them how we silence people who undermine the champions/ KABOYELLO BANYANA BA STYLE
Congratulations to our ladies team and wishing them all the best to the next game.
These ladies are watchable and enjoyable, these ladies are superb, these ladies are outstanding, their first torch maye maye maye, the is this two playing on the middle the short light in completion and the guffy one bayasibamba isisu, I watched three of their games…. Lot of males should learn from girls trapping of ball, our defense is solid… I hope Mvala is learning from these ladies,Modau and Modiba are learning too from this tall girl playing right wing, how to deliver crossing…. They deserve to be on club world cup and I believe they can win it… They respect no one black or white baya trapa