Stage set for the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League

UWC (South Africa), Eagles of the Medina (Senegal), Edo Queens (Nigeria), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), CBE (Ethiopia) and  AS FAR (Morocco) have all made it to the continental finals.

They join defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa who qualified automatically, and to complete the eight-team line-up, only the hosts are missing.

CAF is expected to make an announcement soon.

South Africa’s University of the Western Cape (UWC) will be flying the COSAFA flag high alongside Sundowns Ladies.

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The Capetonians had to endure a difficult and unfamiliar terrain, losing their opening match.

They then went on a winning streak to be crowned eventual champions at only their first attempt.

UWC is also the first university team to reach this level following their 9-8 penalty shootout win over Botswana’s Gaborone United 9-8 after both were tied at 1-1 at the end of extra time.

Morocco’s AS FAR return for the fourth time and will represent the Union of North African Federations (UNAF) – North Africa. They triumphed 1-0 against Tutankhamun of Egypt who won their maiden league title in that country.

AS FAR are the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League winners, walloping Sundowns Ladies 4-0 in the final.

The Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) – East Africa, will have the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, otherwise known as CBE, as their flagbearer.

They beat Kenya Police 1-0 in the final. In 2021 and 2023 CBE finished second in the competition and earned bronze in between.

At the fourth time of asking they lifted the trophy and will make their debut at the continental finals.

Aigles de la Medina (Eagles of Medina) of Senegal defeated Liberia’s Determine Girls 2-1 in the Union of West African Football Associations - (WAFU A) final to book their place in the elite women’s football tournament.

The Senegalese will also be making their first appearance.

Joining them in the continental finals as WAFU B representatives are fellow West Africans Edo Queens of Nigeria, who will also be making their debut.

They cruised in a convincing 3-0 victory over Benin’s Ainonvi FC in the final.

DR Congo’s TP Mazembe needed only a draw against Lekie Football Filles of Cameroon to secure their spot in the tournament.

The former came from behind to force a 1-1 stalemate and qualify through the Central African Football Federations' Union (UNIFFAC) – Central Africa.

They return to the CAF Women’s Champions League since 2022.

The 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League will be the fourth edition of the annual competition.

Sundowns Ladies are two-time winners (2021 and 2023), while AS FAR have won it once (2022).

From 2025, the competition will serve as a qualifier for the soon to be launched FIFA Women’s Club World Cup which will start in 2026.