Green Buffaloes have won the 2022 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies 6-5 in a penalty shootout in Saturday’s final at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban.
No goals were scored in regulation or overtime in a very contested championship match. The Zambian team then demonstrated their superiority during the penalty shootout to defeat the continental champions and became the second team to win the COSAFA Qualifier championship.
Both sides were already guaranteed a spot in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League finals in Morocco later this year and will represent the COSAFA region in the continent’s top women’s event.
Coach Jerry ‘Kappa’ Tshabalala was ecstatic at the Green Buffaloes’ tournament-long display of class.
“Our opponents were so well-prepared for this tournament that they deserve all the praise. In the final, they displayed their tactical and technical prowess, and penalties are usually a 50/50 match. Their performance in this competition demonstrated their growth from previous year. As I indicated in the lead-up to the final, the game has developed over the last few years, and the level of competition in the sport will continue to increase,” Kappa remarked.
Bambanani Mbane was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance in the championship. Meanwhile, Sundowns forward Melinda Kgadiete was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring three goals.
Green Buffaloes goalie Aisha Mbwana was awarded the Golden Glove. Ireen Lungu of the Green Buffaloes won the Golden Boot with five goals, while Double Action won the Fair Play award.
Based on the caliber of football showed in Durban, Kappa anticipates that the competition in Morocco will be more exciting and unpredictable.
“Women’s football competition is increasing at an incredible rate. As reigning champions, other teams will want to neutralize our dangers. Therefore, we must increase our momentum in Morocco and discover methods to capitalize on our opportunities when they arise. What we saw in Durban indicates that the struggle in Morocco would be difficult. “However, these are the kind of obstacles that create champions, and we are prepared to defend our crown,” Kappa said.
Earlier in the day, Double Action Ladies of Botswana easily defeated Olympique de Moroni of Comoros 3-0 to earn the bronze medal.