ASFAR Beats Mamelodi Sundowns, Wins CAF Women’s Champions League
ASFAR of Morocco beat holders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa 4-0 to win its first CAF Women’s Champions League title on Sunday, at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, Morocco.
Zanele Nhlapho brought Zineb Redouani down inside the area to gift the hosts a penalty and Fatima Tagnaout made no mistake, converting from the spot to open the scoring for ASFAR in the 15th minute.
Moments later after a poor challenge on Redouani, Mamelodi Sundowns were a woman-down after Rhoda Mulaudzi was sent off.
In the second half, the South Africans were further reduced to nine players after captain Nhlapho picked her second booking of the match, following a poor challenge on Redouani in the 52nd minute.
From the resulting free-kick, ASFAR extended its lead when Tagnaout brilliantly teed up Ibtissam Jraidi to power home from inside the area to make the scores 2-0.
Despite being two-players down, the South Africans pushed for a comeback through Lelona Daweti and Melinda, but the duo could not make the best of their half chances.
The hosts weren’t done yet as Jraidi fired past Dlamini to score ASFAR’s third of the night in the 87th minute, before scoring her hat-trick before stoppage time to complete the thrashing.
ASFAR becomes the first host club to win the CAF Women’s Champions League title. They are the second team to win the CAF Women’s title after Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies who did so in 2021.
The Moroccan club are also the first North African club to win the title.
🇲🇦 The moment you all have been waiting for! 🏆@ASFAR_Officiel | #CAFWCL | #EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/dBRO7ufE0g
— #CAFWCL (@CAFwomen) November 13, 2022
ASFAR forward Jraidi was named Woman of the Match for the third time in the competition, following her remarkable hat-trick which inspired her side to a ruthless triumph over the Cup holders.
Jraidi also won the Golden Boot award as she emerged top scorer in the competition with six (6) goals from five (5) games to propel the hosts to a maiden CAF Women’s Champions League title.
Chidi Nwoke/CAF.
