CAF Women's Leage
CAF Women’s Champions League Group A rolls to an end on Friday
The two semi-finalists from Group A of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 will be decided on Friday, 15 November with the last round of group fixtures set to take place this evening at 19h00 Local Time.
Tournament hosts, AS FAR have one foot in the semi-finals, while TP Mazembe and University of the Western Cape are the other two sides in contention, with Aigles De La Medina already out of competition.
Aigles de la Medina vs TP Mazembe
These two teams have one thing in common. They both suffered at least one defeat in the group stage.
Mazembe were subjected to a 3-1 loss to hosts, AS FAR in their second match of the competition while Aigles de La Medina fell to a 2-0 defeat against fellow debutants, UWC.
Both teams will be eyeing for victory with Mazembe eyeing a place in the semi-finals, while the Senegalese side play for pride in their quest to bow out of the competition having secured at least a victory.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Aigles De La Medina coach, Mbayang Thiam said: “We are competitors who came here as regional champions. It is a status that we must defend, and we want to prove that we are capable of winning. We may be out, but nothing stops us from putting up a good performance in our last match”
Mazembe on the other hand are aiming to advance from the group stages for the first time. Their last appearance, which was in the 2022 edition saw them bow out in the group stages – something that TP Mazembe defender, Michelle Moumazim aims to change.
“Our goal is to rewrite the history of our club. We want to go further than our finish in 2022. We are well prepared for this match and fully understand how difficult it will be,” said the defender.
University of the Western Cape – AS FAR
An interesting tie awaits the El Jadida’s Ben Ahmed El Abdi stadium as AS FAR prepare to face debutants, University of the Western Cape. While AS FAR have the advantage of home ground, a determined UWC who are looking at emulating Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies can be a huge threat if underestimated.
Speaking ahead of the tie, AS FAR coach, Mohamed Amin Alioua said the only time they will start thinking about the semi-final is after they win against UWC.
“We will enter the match against UWC with the ambition to win. Everyone knows the situation of our team; our options are limited, so we count on a group of players capable of winning. Then, we will think about the semi-final,” said the coach.
Both matches will kick off simultaneously at 19h00 Local Time.
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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