Debutants dethrone Sundowns Ladies at the CAF Women’s Champions League

After trailing from early on in the first half (24’) through a well-taken Melinda Kgadiete goal, the West Africans staged a strong fightback and were rewarded with two goals in stoppage time.

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For the first time since the start of the tournament in 2021, Sundowns Ladies, who won this competition twice (2021 and 2023), will not be in the knockout stage. Two years ago (2022) they went all the way only to be dismantled by AS FAR – the only other team to have won it.

Edo Queens, who finished top of Group B, will face off with Group A runners up TP Mazembe of DR Congo, while AS FAR, winners of Group A will go toe to toe with the second-placed FC Masar (Egypt) in a North African derby.

The matches will take place on Tuesday.

Kgadiete rose the highest to head home from a magnificent cross by Karabo Dhlamini. With the never-say-die attitude, Edo Queens kept on knocking and were awarded a penalty after Thato Letsoso was adjudged to have committed a foul. But goalkeeper Andile Dlamini came to the rescue with a save in the 53^rd minute from the boot of Chioma Olise.

Dlamini kept the Brazilians in the game with some great and brave saves, and when she was bridged, the crossbar came to her rescue.

 At the 90^th minute mark, Sundowns Ladies were ready to celebrate and the Nigerians were near tears with the approaching exit.

But there was a dramatic turnaround when in the referee's added time Emem Essien pounced to make it 1-1. At this point the tide had shifted, and Edo Queens were back in the semi-finals. They confirmed their spot with a very late goal by Mary Mamudi for a famous 2-1 win for the debutants

This was Sundowns Ladies’ second defeat in the tournament (they lost 1-0 to FC Masar in the opening of the tournament).

In four editions of the CAF Women’s Champions League, Sundowns Ladies have now been defeated three times.

In the other Group B match, which was on the go at the same time, debutants FC Masar registered their second win of the tournament, beating the Central Bank of Ethiopia 2-1 to confirm their place in the last four. Sandrine Niyonkuru and Yassmine Zezo found the back of the net for the Egyptian side while Senaf Wakfuma scored the consolation goal for the Ethiopians.

In the end, Edo Queens finish top of Group B tied on seven points with FC Masar, Sundowns Ladies is third on three points while CBE FC lost all their three matches but managed to record their first goal in the tournament.