This achievement proves the high standard of women’s football in SA: Thinasonke Mbuli

UWC made history by becoming the first university club to participate and claim victory in the tournament after defeating Botswana’s Gaborone United 9-8 on penalties after they were deadlocked at 1-1 at regulation time.

READ: UWC Ladies make CAF Women's Champions League history

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport from Malawi after the victory, Mbuli added that her side’s success is testament enough that women’s football in South Africa should already be professional.

UWC joins Sundowns Ladies in the tournament proper as the latter has qualified as defending champions. 

''I think this achievement is not just for us as a team. It says a lot about the standard of women's football in South Africa. We have so many talented players who don't deserve to play amateur football, this calls for women's football in the country to be professional. Even if it was JVW or any other team in the Hollywoodbets Super league, I think they would have done exactly what we did. I hope SAFA is happy that they will have two teams representing our country in the CAF Champions league,'' said Mbuli.

 An excited Mbuli admitted to SABC Sport that emotions got the better of her after the final whistle and she shed tears.

''I am not the person that usually wants to take credit,  today I was so emotional. I had a moment after the game, in fact I was crying.  That is how much it meant to me and the players,'' added Mbuli.

The win means UWC will play in the highest level of club football on the continent and Mbuli says she understands the magnitude of what has just happened.

 ''For the past ten days I have been fighting for this. I have never had a chance to think beyond this, but I want to take it in and celebrate and go back to prepare for the big one,'' she expressed.  

As a coach, Mbuli has ticked a few boxes, including coaching at the Sasol League level as well as at the World Cup. Following the latest achievement, she is now left with only the Olympics.

 Winning the tournament in Malawi means UWC have added to their already jam-packed programme and will have to find a balance with the extra workload on the players.

 UWC is expected back in the country on Tuesday and are likely to fly directly to Cape Town. For the first time ever, South Africa will have two teams at the CAF Women’s Champions League tournament which will be played later this year at a venue yet to be announced.