Sundowns Kick Off COSAFA Champions League Qualifiers with Dominant Victory

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies demonstrated their prowess in the opening match of the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers, securing an emphatic 8-0 victory against Olympic de Moroni, who played with just 10 players.

The contest unfolded at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on a memorable Thursday evening.

Quickfire Opening

Within a mere 10 minutes of the kickoff, the Chloorkop-based side signaled their intent as midfielder Chuene Morifi etched her name in the spotlight by scoring the opening goal.

Morifi’s performance continued to shine as she contributed assists that led to Tiisetso Makhubela’s goal in the 36th minute and Boitumelo Rabale’s strike in the 50th minute.

Near Misses and Half-Time Lead

Sundowns’ dominance in the first half was underscored by Refilwe Tholakele’s near miss in the 28th minute, as her header was narrowly cleared.

Lelona Daweti also came agonizingly close, striking the crossbar in the 32nd minute. As the first half concluded, Sundowns held a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Turning Point

The visiting side’s fortunes took a turn for the worse when Anllaoia Ali received a red card in the 55th minute for a reckless tackle on Karabo Makhuribetshi.

This numerical advantage for Sundowns shifted the balance further in their favor.

Expanding the Lead

Capitalizing on their superior numbers, Amanda Mthandi and Tholakele added two more goals for Sundowns shortly after Ali’s expulsion.

Gabonnelwe Kekana extended the lead by netting the seventh goal. The final blow was delivered by Miche Minnies in the 93rd minute, sealing an 8-0 thrashing.

Group B Dominance

This resounding victory catapulted Jerry Tshabalala’s charges to the top of Group B with three points.

They are followed by Mozambique’s Costa do Sol, who managed a 2-1 victory over Eswatini’s Young Buffaloes in an earlier match.

Young Buffaloes occupy the third position in the group with no points, while Olympic de Moroni languish at the bottom, also without any points to their name.

In a remarkable display of dominance, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have taken a commanding lead in their quest for glory in the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers.

With their scintillating performance in the opening match, they have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in this prestigious tournament.