Chronicle Editor
BLACK Rhinos Queens of Zimbabwe and South African side Mamelodi Sundowns will contest the final of the 2021 TotalEnergies Caf Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifiers after both won through tough semi-final fixtures yesterday.
The pair will clash for the trophy tomorrow, hoping to claim bragging rights, but also a ticket to the inaugural TotalEnergies Caf Women’s Champions League that is scheduled to be played in Egypt later this year.
Only the winner of the Cosafa tournament will advance to the continental showpiece, making it high stakes in tomorrow’s decider in Durban.
Rhinos Queens booked their spot after early goals set them on the way to a 2-0 win over Double Action from Botswana.
Mavis Chirandu had them in front after just four minutes before the vastly experienced Marjory Nyaumwe added a second 11 minutes later for her second of the competition.
That fast start was a real blow to Double Action, who tried to find a way back into the contest, but lacked the quality to break down Rhinos Queens, who have yet to concede a goal in the competition.
Sundowns edged Green Buffaloes from Zambia in their semi-final, with Melinda Kgadiete scoring the only goal just before half-time.
Her header took her tally for the competition to five, making her the outright leading scorer at this stage and on course for the Golden Boot.
Sundowns had scored 18 goals in their three pool matches, but found none of that potency against the well-organised Buffaloes defence, though in truth the South Africans were also rarely troubled at the back.
Tomorrow’s final will kick-off at 2pm and should be an intriguing affair between what have been the two best teams in the competition.
Both sides have players with international experience who have competed in Europe, and with so much on the line, it will be a fascinating battle. — Cosafa News
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