Mamelodi Sundowns are back on top of the African women’s game after defeating Morocco’s SC Casablanca 3-0 in the CAF Women’s Champions League final on Sunday.
A brace from top scorer Tholakele Refilwe and Boitumelo Rabale’s strike earned the South Africans victory in Cote d’Ivoire as they reclaimed the title they relinquished last year.
The South Africans’ impressive run in Cote d’Ivoire not only sees them reclaim the title they lost to AS FAR last season, but they set a record of lifting the title without conceding a single goal en route to glory.
🌟𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑴𝑷𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑨𝑭𝑹𝑰𝑪𝑨 🌟
Banyana Ba Style write history as they become two-time continental champions! 🏆🌍 #SundownsLadies #CAFWCL #EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/EwuLQ6kzOt
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) November 19, 2023
The historic win was achieved at a packed Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on Sunday evening, where a brace by the tournament’s top goalscorer, Tholakele Refilwe accompanied by a Boitumelo Rabale strike saw the South Africans crowned champions with a 3-0 victory over Morocco’s SC Casablanca.
This was the second meeting for the two sides in the tournament after meeting in the group stages where Sundowns emerged as 1-0 victors.
With a clear mission of reclaiming the title, Sundowns wasted no time in getting numbers forward and were rewarded in the 21st minute when Refilwe converted a penalty in the 21st minute.
Minutes later, Rabale fired the South Africans to a two-goal lead before the break from the edge of the box with a clinical finish that found the bottom corner.
𝟐 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒! 👑
🇿🇦 Mamelodi Sundowns are crowned champions of the 2023 #CAFWCL in Côte d’Ivoire. 🏆
𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗦!#EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/DVYtT6U1mX
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) November 19, 2023
Coming back from the recess, the Moroccans tried getting back into the contest but were met by a resolute Sundowns defence that frustrated each of their attacks.
With momentum on their side, the South Africans put the cherry on top with Tholakele’s 78th-minute finish to officially put the match beyond reach for the Moroccans and seal a second CAF Women’s Champions League title for Sundowns, which is accompanied by a $400,000 winner’s prize cheque.
2 x African CHAMPIONS @SundownsLadies#Sundowns #CAFWCL pic.twitter.com/yNlLRzpyPO
— PUMA South Africa (@PUMASouthAfrica) November 19, 2023
