CAF Women's Leage
Points of interest ahead of Edo Queens – Mamelodi Sundowns epic clash
This will be the first meeting between the teams.
This game is Mamelodi Sundowns’ third match against Nigerian opponents at the finals.
Sundowns’ record against teams from Nigeria at the finals reads P2 W2.
Sundowns first faced Nigerian opponents Rivers Angels in their second group game in 2021 they won 1-0, they then defeated Bayelsa Queens 2-1 in their opening game in 2022,
Sundowns overall are facing West African opposition at the finals for a fifth time, they have won all four previous meetings against teams from the WAFU region.
In games between teams from the WAFU and COSAFA region at the finals teams from COSAFA have won all six previous clashes.
EDO Queens are the 15th different club that Sundowns will be facing at the finals.
Edo Queens
· Will progress to the semi-finals should they draw.
· Should they progress, they will become the second Nigerian club along with Bayelsa Queens in 2022 to reach the knockout rounds.
· Should they avoid defeat, Edo Queens will be the first Nigerian club to progress without losing a single game at the finals.
· Previously in their final group games at the finals Nigerian teams have always won. Rivers Angels faced Kenyan side Vihiga Queens in their final game in 2021 and despite a 4-0 win could not progress.
· In their final group game in 2022 Bayelsa Queens won 3-0 against Wadi Degla of Egypt, to reach the last four. They lost their first game against Sundowns but subsequent wins over TP Mazembe and Wadi Degla saw them progress.
· Edo Queens are yet to concede a goal in the current edition of the finals. They are the first Nigerian club to not concede a goal in their opening two games at the finals. No Nigerian club has gone through an entire group stage without conceding a goal.
· Edo Queens are the first Nigerian club at the finals to avoid defeat inside their first two games.
· Edo Queens goalkeeper Omini Oyono has faced the fewest shots in the tournament and has also had to make just one save.
· Edo Queens’ Esther Moses has created six chances at the finals so far the second most by any player thus far.
Mamelodi Sundowns
· The defending champions bounced back after losing their opening game against FC Masar to defeat CBE of Ethiopia 4-0 in their second game.
· Melinda Kgadiete scored in the win over CBE, netting a brace taking her tally at the finals to six goals for Sundowns.
· Kgadiete’s goal against CBE meant she is the first player to score at four editions of the finals.
· Kgadiete is now Sundowns’ all-time top scorer at the finals overtaking Refilwe Tholakele who scored five at the 2022 edition.
· Kgadiete had three goal involvements in the game against CBE scoring two goals and making one assist. She scored with both her shots on target in the game.
· Lelona Daweti was also on the score sheet for Sundowns taking her tally to five goals at the finals, along with the four she scored in 2022.
· Daweti has created eight chances at the finals the most of any player at the current edition.
· Boitumelo Rabale another of Sundowns goal scorers against CBE scored her third goal at the finals for Sundowns, she had previously scored two in 2022.
· Sundowns scored four goals in the first half of their win over CBE it was the first time they scored four goals in the opening half of a game at the finals.
· Should Sundowns not progress they would exit at the group stage for the first time.
· Should Sundowns exit at this stage they would be the first defending champion to exit at the group stage, in 2022 they reached the final and in 2023 AS FAR got to the Semi-finals.
· Sundowns have never lost their final group game at the finals. The only time they failed to win was in a 0-0 draw against AS FAR in 2021. They had already qualified for the finals. In 2022 they won their final group game 4-0 against TP Mazembe, in 2023 their last group game yielded a 3-0 win over Athletico Abidjan.
· With their win over CBE, Sundowns record in 11 group games at the finals reads W9 D1 L1.
· Sundowns will be the first team to win 10 group games at the finals should they win this game.
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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