Mamelodi Sundowns women reclaim continental glory in style; bags all tournament awards
Mamelodi Sundowns are back on top of the African women’s game after defeating Morocco’s SC Casablanca 3-0 in the CAF Women’s Champions League final on Sunday.
A brace from top scorer Tholakele Refilwe and Boitumelo Rabale’s strike earned the South Africans victory in Cote d’Ivoire as they reclaimed the title they relinquished last year.
The South Africans’ impressive run in Cote d’Ivoire not only sees them reclaim the title they lost to AS FAR last season, but they set a record of lifting the title without conceding a single goal enroute to glory.
The historic win was achieved at a packed Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on Sunday evening, where a brace by the tournament’s top goalscorer, Tholakele Refilwe accompanied by a Boitumelo Rabale strike saw the South Africans crowned champions with a 3-0 victory over Morocco’s SC Casablanca.
This was the second meeting for the two sides in the tournament after meeting in the group stages where Sundowns emerged 1-0 victors.
With a clear mission of reclaiming the title, Sundowns wasted no time in getting numbers forward and were rewarded in the 21st minute when Refilwe converted a penalty in the 21st minute.
Minutes later, Rabale fired the South Africans to a two-goal lead before the break from the edge of the box with a clinical finish that found the bottom corner.
Coming back from the recess, the Moroccans tried getting back into the contest but were met by a resolute Sundowns defense that frustrated each of their attacks.
With momentum on their side, the South Africans put the cherry on top with Tholakele’s 78th minute finish to officially put the match beyond reach for the Moroccans and seal a second CAF Women’s Champions League title for Sundowns, which is accompanied by a $400,000 winner’s prize cheque.
After careful deliberation by the CAF Technical Study Group, the CAF Women’s Champions League Cote d’Ivoire 2023 awards were officially confirmed as follows:
Boitumelo Rabale of Mamelodi Sundowns was named best player of the tournament after playing an instrumental role in guiding her side to the finals of the competition.
After keeping five clean sheets across all matches, Mamelodi Sundowns shot stopper, Andile Dlamini walked away with the Goalkeeper of the tournament award. This adds to her 2022 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the year accolade.
The top goalscorer of the tournament was awarded to Tholakele Refilwe for her total of five goals scored.
In capping what has been an impressive performance by the South Africans, the Fair Play Team of the Tournament was awarded to Mamelodi Sundowns who not only won the tournament, but displayed great sportsmanship throughout the competition.
