UWC coach wary of tough road to CAF Women's Champions League finals

The Capetonians are in Group A alongside fellow debutants Herentals Queens of Zimbabwe, while Green Buffaloes of Zambia and Namibia’s FC Ongos are not new to this stage.

Mbuli says they have already started with the spadework for the tournament, which is scheduled to be played between 15 and 24 August in Malawi.

"I think last time we spoke, I said we are waiting for the draw to see who we have in our group, and you know we have five debutants in the tournament – and we are one of them," said Mbuli.

"Of the three teams that have already played in this tournament, two are already in our group, which makes our group a little bit difficult.

"But we know Green Buffaloes have been in this tournament since its inception, and now that we know our group, our research has started – the whole day we were busy trying to get information as quickly as we can so we can start our preparations on the field."

Mbuli emphasises the need to get out of the group, which renders the opening match all the more important, as the top two teams advance to the semifinals.

The overall winner will then proceed to represent the region in the continental finals together with Sundowns Ladies who have qualified as the title holders.

"We just have to make sure we start well. That means now our first game in the group will be very crucial for us, just to set the tone for the rest of the tournament," she added.

"But we know our group now, like I said, we've already started doing research on the opposition, so we'll try and do our best.

"I said to you before, this has been a dream for us, so now that we are here, there's no turning back, it's just to prepare and make sure by the time we go to Malawi we are ready. It's a tough one, but we don't have a choice – we have to come out of the group."

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