But they are without several key players, among them captain and defender Zanele Nhlapho.

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Also missing from a list of 21 supplied by the defending champions are Andisiwe Mgcoyi, as well as Rhoda Mulaudzi – both scored braces this past weekend when the Brazilians defeated neighbours TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies 5-0 to clinch a record fifth league title. Cimone Sauls who joined from JVW has also been omitted.

This emerged after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) released provisional squad lists of the eight participating teams in the women’s continental tournament scheduled for 9-23 November.

The deadline to submit the names was 30 October – exactly 10 days before the opening match of the 2024 edition.

Sundowns Ladies begin the defence of their title with a clash against FC Masar from Egypt on Sunday, 10 November.

CAF Women’s Champions League debutants, the University of the Western Cape have assembled a squad of 26 players for the competition. But they will be without influential midfielder Bongeka Gamede, forward Noxolo Cesane who recently made a move to Denmark and Saudi Arabia respectively. They will also miss their injured goal-poacher Philisa Mjambane.

UWC are the first ever university team to participate in the tournament – which is in its fourth edition. The students arrived last night in El Jadida where they will be based, and will play their first match on Saturday, 9 November against TP Mazembe from DR Congo at 16h00 SA Time.

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