The continent witnessed a beautiful tournament in San Pedro and Korhogo in the Ivory Coast in a space of 15 days.
The 3rd edition of the young CAF Women’s Champions League was all about beautiful football, beautiful goals, beautiful celebrations and beautifully talent exhibition.
The 2023 CAFWCL lived up to its billing with Mamelodi Sundowns enjoying a flawless tournament by winning all five games.
The Bayana Ba Style won 3-0 in the finals against Sporting Club Casablanca on Sunday evening to clinch their second title in 3 years.
Here, Sportsworldghana reviews what transpired in Ivory Coast
Group stage
The group stages did not disappoint as it was full of actions and beautiful moments with the eventual winners, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies winning all three games and scoring 6 goals without conceding a single goal.
Debutants Ampem Darkoa shocked the defending champions ASFAR by coming from behind to win 2-1.
AS Mande shockingly brushed aside Ampem Darkoa 3-0 in MD2 which was one of the biggest highlights in the group stages.
In the winner-takes-all clash, SC Casablanca thrashed JKT Queens 4-1 to secure qualification to the knockout phase.
Semi-finals
In the repeat of the 2022 finals, Mamelodi Sundowns secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the defending champions ASFAR.
The other semi-final game was fireworks as Ampem Darkoa drew 2-2 with SC Casablanca after 120 minutes with the Ghanaians losing 3-2 on penalties against the Moroccans.
3rd/4th place match
FAR Rabat defeated Ampem Darkoa 2-0 as they won the bronze medal match
Grand finally
Rwandan forward Tholakele Tebego’s brace and a goal from Boitumelo Rabale secured a comprehensive 3-0 win for Mamelodi Sundowns over Sporting Club Casablanca.
Prize Money
• Winner: Mamelodi Sundowns – USD 400, 000
• Runners-up: SC Casablanca – USD 250, 000
• 3rd placed finish: ASFAR – USD 250, 000
• 4th placed finish: Ampem Darkoa- USD 200,000
• Third of Group: JKT Queens, AS Mande -USD 150, 000
• Fourth of Group: Athletico Abidjan, Huracanes -USD 100, 000
Awards
•Best player of the tournament: Boitumelo Rabale, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
• Top goal scorer: Tholakele Tebogo, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (5 goals)
• Goalkeeper of the tournament: Andile Dlamini, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
• Fair play team of the tournament: Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
• Coach of the tournament: Jerry Tsabalala
Total Goals scored
41 goals were scored in 16 matches
The idea of staging the Women’s version of the CAF Champions League is the best decision to have been taken by CAF in the last decade.
Our women are now exposed to a very competitive football at the club level and have shown that the continent has talent in abundance when it comes to the women’s game.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe can’t be happier than seeing our beautiful women displaying their talents.
Next year’s edition must be bigger and better than this year’s. Korhogo and San Pedro presented world-class pitches and venues and the supporters made sure the competition would be one to be remembered forever.
Rating over 10
9/10
