Sundowns Ladies Snatch Dramatic Late Victory In Egypt As African Champions Chase Third CAF Title

With Wednesday's 2-1 triumph over Lekie Football Girls of Cameroon in Ismailia, Egypt, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies kicked off their 2026 CAF Women's Champions League campaign.

An exciting Group A match at the Suez Canal Stadium ended in an own goal, but the South African champions showed grit and determination to earn their first points of the tournament.

After playing to a scoreless draw in their first match against Egyptian representatives FC Masar, Sundowns bounced back with a crucial win.

In an effort to boost their offensive performance, Brazil's head coach Godfrey Sapula benched starting midfielders Asanda Hadebe, Amanda Mthandi, and Nthabiseng Majiya for the match.

In the opening five minutes of play, Sundowns nearly took the lead when Ronnel Donnelly, attempting to capitalize on a missed clearance by the Cameroonian defense, hit the crossbar.

In the eighth minute, Lekie had a momentary false sense of victory when veteran forward Ajara Nchout appeared to have scored, but the goal was disallowed due to offside.

The South Africans persisted in trying to score first, but their opponents were well-organized and tough to beat.

Just before halftime, Bambanani Mbane headed a Majiya delivery home and thought she had scored as well. But the goal was disallowed because the player was offside.

It wasn't until the 42nd minute that Sundowns scored. Refilwe Tholakele, a Botswana international, calmly scored the game-winning goal for the South Africans after receiving a superb assist from Donnelly.

After the break, the Brazilians kept creating chances; Majiya and Donnelly were both in danger of extending Brazil's lead.

In the 84th minute, they were rewarded for their perseverance when substitute Shalom Makoma equalized, capitalizing on a chance set up by Nchout.

The South African champions wasted no time retaliating to the goal, which almost cost Sundowns the tournament opener.

The ball was deflected into her own net by Lekie defender Yvana Yakana Makana after Karabo Dlamini sent a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area in the 88th minute.

With an own goal in the waning moments, Sundowns were able to hang on for a crucial 2-1 win.

After their earlier draw with FC Masar, Sundowns now have four points from their first two Group A matches thanks to this result.

As they aim to secure a spot in the semi-finals, the reigning champions have taken a significant step forward.

On November 7, they will face FUS Rabat of Morocco in their next group stage match.

If they do well, they will advance to the next round and have a better chance of reaching another continental final.

In 2021 and 2023, Sundowns were champions of the CAF Women's Champions League. Now they're dead set on expanding their library with a third title.

The tournament begins on November 1 and continues until November 15 in Egypt. The winners will also have the chance to represent Africa in the FIFA Women's Champions Cup.

Source: https://x.com/FARPostZA/status/2118015488651366581/photo/1?a=_ppgeJrbaENRdrBO6is&s=19