UWC coach approaching CAF Women's CL clash against AS FAR as a final

The Capetonians take on hosts AS FAR and a win will enhance their chance of progressing to the last four.

But they will also be hoping results from the other group match between Aigles de la Medina and TP Mazembe to go their way.

As matters stand, AS FAR are on six points, while UWC and TP Mazembe have three each and Medina are on zero. Mbuli knows it’s no longer in their hands.

"Yes, it is the final before we get into even qualifying for the knockout. We have to win before we even talk about the other results of the other game, we must win our game but the most important one will be not to concede because should we concede, it will make our lives more difficult," Mbuli said.

READ: Sundowns Ladies get a lifeline in defence of CAF Women’s Champions League title

Mbuli has urged her charges to convert the many chances they create in matches to get closer to victory.

"If we can convert the half chances that we create because it was a similar problem in the previous game. We created a lot of chances but we couldn't convert. I just hope that the half chances that we create, we'll be able to convert them because should we go to half time with 0-0 score or them leading then we'll be more under pressure,” she added.

“The first one will be not to concede then the second one we have to win then we'll worry about what's happening in the other match."

Both South African teams in the competition are in a spot of bother in terms of progression to the semi-finals, and it appears they could meet in the last four should they qualify.

But for Mbuli, that is far from her mind as UWC and Sundowns Ladies have a huge mountain to climb before thinking of the next round.

"I think that would be nice for South African women's football but for either of us, we still have that one hurdle before we can say we might be with Sundowns. I think they have the most important game in their last group game, just like us,” the coach explained.

“We are playing against a team that is very, very good, technically good, playing at home is an advantage to them but I think we'll be ready then hopefully we win. Then we get a chance to play with our homegirls, Sundowns."

This will be the first meeting between UWC and AS FAR in any competition. All matches kick off simultaneously at 7pm SA Time.

Permutations:

• A win for TP Mazembe and loss or draw for UWC, TP Mazembe go through
• A win for UWC and loss or draw for TP Mazembe, UWC go through
• A draw for both TP Mazembe and UWC, then TP Mazembe go through on head-to-head (they beat UWC in the opening match)
• A win for both TP Mazembe and UWC, TP Mazembe go through on head-to-head
• A draw for one and loss for the other, the winning team goes through