Sundowns primed for challenge in regional Champions League qualifier
South African side Mamelodi Sundowns will go into the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League l COSAFA Qualifier as one of the favourites for the title, but coach jerry Tshabalala admits they have been drawn in a “tricky” first round group.
Sundowns are the side with the most resources off the pitch in the tournament, which will be staged in Durban from August 26 to September 4 and provide the winning team with the ticket to Cairo for the continental Champions League finals later in the year.
Sundowns are the top seeds in Group A and must finish in the top two to advance to the semifinals, coming up against Botswana’s Double Action Ladies, Manzini Wanderers from Eswatini and Lesotho Defence Force in their pool.
“The draw is exciting, with four teams in the group it gives you the chance to play three games, so when it comes to match fitness, it gives you a better idea of what to expect [in the next round] if you win your group,” Sundowns coach Jerry Tshabalala says.
“It will be tricky to get to Cairo, but we know we have to win the COSAFA and that will give us the ticket.”
Unlike some of their rivals, Sundowns have been playing in the local SAFA Women’s League, which has given them the opportunity to prepare for the competition. They also have some of the best facilities in South Africa, which they share with the men’s side.
“We are very fortunate because our league was playing, we have prepared quite well for this tournament,” Tshabalala says.
“We fall under the academy of Mamelodi Sundowns, but we are called a senior team. In that way, the team consists of their own head coach, assistant coach, and physios. The technical team is our own.
“We don’t yet have the development for girls, but it is something that is in the pipeline. Hopefully by next year it will be approved, and we will see Sundowns Under-13 and Under-15 girls’ teams.”
Tshabalala feels the introduction of a Champions League competition at regional and continental level will be a huge boost for the women’s game.
“It is long overdue, and I believe will play a huge role in racing the level of women’s football, not just in the Southern African region, but the entire continent. With the COSAFA and CAF Women’s Champions Leagues coming on board, I believe we will have the chance to compete with the European countries in the future.
“How will the CAF tournament help us? Because of the increased level of competition among the players, one would know that after winning my local league, the chances are there for me to go and compete against the other African countries. It would mean a lot for us to qualify.
“This is something that I always repeat in my interviews. If you recall when our previous president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, took over at Mamelodi Sundowns he said he wants the club to dominate African football.
“He wasn’t just speaking about the men’s side. He knew that something like this women’s Champions League would come, so now is our chance as Sundowns to go out there and fulfil our former president’s vision.
“Why not also have a FIFA Club World Cup? That is something I am hoping will come in the near future. I hope the ladies will be more motivated to say, let’s do our best so we can compete with the best in the world.”
