CAF Women's Leage
CAF Women’s Champions League: Sharpshooters, Jraidi, Badu and Tholakele
With the clock ticking to the kick off of the CAF Women’s Champions League, today marks exactly five days to the start of much-anticipated continental competition.
Morocco plays hosts to the fourth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League between 09 – 23 November where eight nations from across the continent will be aiming at dethroning reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns who are aiming at lifting the title for the third time in four years.
CAFOnline takes a look at some of the tournament’s sharpshooters who will be looking at finding the back of the net again this year.
First is the lethal Ibtissam Jraidi of AS FAR, who remains the highest goalscorer in the history of the tournament, with a total of six goals scored in 2022.
Jraidi played a crucial role in AS FAR’s 2022 historical run that saw them clinch the title.
Not only was she a serial goal poacher but was instrumental in being the team’s first line of defense with her aggression when the team was out of possession.
Some of the highlights include her decisive goal in the semi-finals against Bayelsa Queens as well as the brace scored against the then champions, Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.
Next is 19-year-old sensation, Evelyn Badu of Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana. Her ability to position herself in the decisive moments has been nothing short of remarkable for her age.
Coupled with good vision and calmness, Badu was instrumental in her sides’ impressive run in the inaugural edition where they went on to face Mamelodi Sundowns.
She concluded the tournament with five goals to her name.
Last but certainly not least is of course Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ Refilwe Tholakele.
The deadly forward alongside her striking partner, Boitumelo Rabale formed a lethal duo at the last edition in Egypt.
Tholakele found the back of the net five times, with the help of her teammates and will be looking at continuing in her rich vein of form when the defending champions aim to extend their dominance on the continent.
-CAF
Miracle Usani is the sole Edo Queen player in the CAF Women’s Champions League Best XI, which was announced on Monday.
The Best XI selection highlights the top-performing players of the tournament. It is compiled by the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG), which includes football analysts, coaches, and technical advisors.
The Best XI features four players from debutants FC Masar which placed third in the final ranking.
Four players are selected from Champions TP Mazembe and two from runners-up AS FAR of Morocco.
In goal is FC Masar’s Habiba Sabry, whose acrobatic saves and commanding presence earned her the title of Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.
The central defense is solidified by Shadia Nankya and Aisha Nantongo from FC Masar.
The full-back positions are occupied by Miracle Usani of Edo Queens on the left and Vukulu Belange of TP Mazembe on the right.
TP Mazembe’s Marline Kasaj anchors the midfield, providing exceptional support during their title run.
The attacking midfield duo features AS FAR’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Sandrine Nyonkuru of FC Masar, adding creativity and flair to the line-up.
The attacking trio is led by the tournament’s top scorer, Doha El Madani (ASFAR), on the right, with TP Mazembe’s Lacho Marta on the left, and Merveille Kanjinga (TP Mazembe) as the central striker.
CAF Women’s Champions League Best XI:
GOALKEEPER
- Habiba Emad Sabry (FC Masar)
DEFENDERS
- Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)
- Shadia Nankya (FC Masar)
- Aisha Nantongo (FC Masar)
- Vukulu Belange (TP Mazembe)
MIDFIELDERS
- Marline Kasaj (TP Mazembe)
- Sanaa Mssoudy (AS FAR)
- Sandrine Nyonkuru (FC Masar)
FORWARDS
- Doha El Madani (AS FAR)
- Merville Kanjinga (TP Mazembe)
- Lacho Marta (TP Mazembe)
Edo Queens lost in the third-placed match with Egypt’s FC Masar after a penalty shoot-out. The Egyptians won 5-3 after a goalless draw.
As it happened when both teams met in the group stage, full-time scores remained 0-0. It was obvious the Edo Queens were deficient in penalty kick shooting as they had earlier lost one in their encounter with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The technical crew probably did not reckon with penalty kick training.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s flagbearers, the Edo Queen will make their final appearance at the 2024 CAF Women’s League this Friday when they take on FC Masar of Egypt in the third-place match.
A win will not only fetch them the bronze medal, but an increased financial gain from $300,000 to $350,000. By the current exchange rate, this is N589,284,600.
A chunk of this will undoubtedly improve their living standards and also fetch some of the players better offers from foreign clubs.
Already, their good run has led to some of the players emerging as nominees at next month’s CAF Awards in Morocco. Monle Oyono is nominated along with Super Falcon’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie as contender for the African Woman’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
So also is Emem Essien seeking to win the Women’s version of the Interclub Player of the Year Award. Their coach, Moses Adukwu is not also left out as he is nominated for the Women’s Coach of the Year category.
Edo Queens is among the eight shortlisted for the Club of the Year. A defeat of FC Masar of Egypt in the third-place match will improve their honours chase.
Both teams met at the group stage and played a barren draw. A winner must emerge this Friday as both teams aim for a pdium finish.
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