Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ incredible run in the CAF Women’s Champions League came to an end on Sunday evening, as Banyana Ba Style lost 4-0 to hosts AS FAR in Rabat in this year’s final.
Fatima Tagnaout scored a penalty kick in the 15th minute to give the Moroccans the lead from the penalty spot.
Rhoda Mulaudzi was sent off after a dangerous tackle that earned her a yellow card but was upgraded to a red card due to VAR intervention, making matters even worse for Coach Jerry Tshabalala’s squad.
In the 52nd minute after halftime, Sundowns Ladies were reduced to nine players when captain Nhlapho received her second yellow card. Ibtissam Jraidi ultimately converted on the free kick, doubling the home team’s lead.
Banyana Ba Style fought valiantly despite being down two players, with Lelona Daweti and Melinda Kgadiete coming close.
Ibtissam Jraidi’s late goals helped the Moroccans capture their first-ever CAF Women’s Champions League championship.
In his post-match remarks, Coach Jerry Tshabalala congratulated AS FAR for emerging as deserving champions: “Throughout the tournament, they displayed class, and they are deserving champions. Today was not our day, but such is the nature of football; you win some and lose some. We gave our all, but we were undone by an early goal and a series of poor decisions. Nonetheless, we have learned several lessons the hard way in Morocco, and we hope to make amends the next time we have the chance.”
Following her remarkable treble, Jraidi was named ‘Woman of the Match’ for the third time in the competition. With six goals in five games, Jraidi also won the award for leading scorer. Lelona Daweti scored a total of four goals.
Fatima Tagnaout was named the tournament’s Best Player, while Khadija Er-rmichi won the award for Best Goalkeeper.
Our Ladies’ performance was exemplary!!!