South Africa Registers Two Clubs At 2024 CAF Women's Champions League

South Africa Registers Two Clubs At 2024 CAF Women's Champions League

By Niyi Busari

University of Western Cape (UWC) made history by becoming the first university club to participate and claim victory in the CAF women's champions league qualifier after defeating Botswana’s Gaborone United 9-8 on penalties after they were deadlocked at 1-1 at regulation time.

The victory means, UWC joins Sundowns Ladies in the tournament proper as the latter have qualified as defending champions.

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

During the game, UWC had put themselves ahead through Noxolo Cesane’s 71st minute volley after Ntombifikile Ndlovu’s delightful pass from the right.

However, the lead lasted for nine minutes as United’s Laone Moloi equalised when she headed the ball into the roof of the net after arriving in the box to welcome an inviting corner-kick from the right.

Extra time ended without a goal for the game to descend into post-match penalties. Gaborone United forward Keitumetse Sithebe won the Player of the Tournament prize, with the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper claimed by Siphesihle Dlamini from UWC.

Bongeka Gamede of UWC and Siphilisiwe Ndlovu from Gaborone United shared the Golden Boot after each scoring three goals in the finals. UWC also took home the Fair Play prize.