CAF Women's Leage
El Madani sends AS FAR into CAF Women’s Champions League Final
CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 revelation, Doha El Madani continues in her rich vein of form at the ongoing competition, after the teenage star’s dramatic last gasp strike secured a hard-fought 2-1 semi-final victory for her side against FC Masar on Tuesday evening.
The slender victory in an evenly contested showdown means AS FAR’s hopes of reclaiming their CAF Women’s Champions League title remain intact. They set up a mouth-watering tie against DR Congo side TP Mazembe, who qualified at the expense of Edo Queens earlier.
Masar’s unfortunate loss to the former champions means they will take on fellow debutants, Edo Queens in the play-offs for the bronze medal on Friday, 22 November while Mazembe face AS FAR in Saturday’s grand finale.
Despite the exit, FC Masar will take courage with their debut appearance, having pushed AS FAR right to the end with a gutsy performance.
It was the former champions who found the early lead in the 12th minute, courtesy of a Safa Banouk strike.
Sandrine Niyonkuru could have levelled matters minutes later after Masar were awarded a penalty but was unfortunate not to score, as the match went into the break with a goal to AS FAR.
The equaliser did eventually come for the Egyptians in referee’s added time with Maya Abouelwafa restoring parity.
With just seconds remaining, it was the teenage star Doha El Madani again coming to the rescue of AS FAR, with a victory securing goal that sent the hosts into the final in dramatic fashion.
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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