The CAF Women’s Champions League is heating up, with two South African teams, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and the University of the Western Cape (UWC), showcasing their talents on a continental stage. In their opening Group B game, defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies suffered an unexpected setback, narrowly losing 1-0 to Egypt’s FC Masar at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.

This loss came as a surprise, particularly as Sundowns entered the tournament with high expectations to defend their title successfully. The only goal of the game came in first-half injury time when Sundowns defender Tiisetso Makhubela committed a foul in the box, leading to a penalty.

FC Masar’s Sandrine Niyonkuru capitalized on the opportunity, confidently converting the penalty and putting her team ahead. Despite being an underdog, Masar’s youthful squad displayed remarkable tactical discipline and resilience, demonstrating that they were ready for the competition’s high demands. Mamelodi Sundowns, who previously won the Women’s Champions League in 2021 and 2023 and were runners-up in 2022, are now under pressure to rally back in their remaining Group B matches. The defending champions are determined to bounce back with a win when they face Ethiopian side CBE in their next match. This game is set for Wednesday, and Sundowns are hoping for a stronger showing to keep their campaign on track.

Head coach Jerry Tshabalala expressed his commitment to turning things around. “We need to go back to the drawing board and dig deep,” Tshabalala said in a post-match interview. He underscored the importance of mental resilience, reminding his players of their experience as defending champions. Sundowns’ game plan for the next match focuses on rediscovering their offensive edge and proving why they’ve been Africa’s leading women’s team in recent years.

On the other side of the competition, the University of the Western Cape also faced challenges in their tournament debut, losing 2-0 to DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in Group A. This setback puts UWC in a must-win situation as they prepare for their second group match against Senegal’s Aigles de la Medina. Their coach, Thinasonke Mbuli, has emphasised the urgency of securing a victory to keep their knockout stage aspirations alive.

Speaking on Radio 2000’s Sport Wrap, Mbuli shared her thoughts on the pressure her team faces. “We’re under tremendous pressure to get a positive result,” she said. She acknowledged the steep learning curve that comes with competing at this level but expressed confidence in her team’s ability to rise to the occasion and make a strong showing against Aigles de la Medina.

Notably, history seems to favor teams from the COSAFA region in these encounters, as COSAFA teams have consistently outperformed WAFU representatives in past Women’s Champions League finals, winning all five previous meetings and outscoring WAFU teams 12-1. This record offers encouragement for UWC, who aim to maintain COSAFA’s dominance over WAFU sides in continental competition.

UWC goalkeeper Thandeka Princess Ngcobo played a pivotal role in the opening match, making four crucial saves. Despite Mazembe’s persistent pressure, Ngcobo held her own, demonstrating her skill and determination to keep her team competitive. Her performance will be vital in the upcoming match, as her experience and quick reflexes could make the difference in what is expected to be another intense game.

For Mamelodi Sundowns, the next two group matches will be crucial in their journey to secure a record fifth Women’s Champions League title. After an unexpected start, Sundowns are keen to show why they’ve been champions before. Both South African teams share the goal of representing their country with pride, and both have the potential to make deep runs in the tournament if they can capitalize on their experience and resilience.

The University of the Western Cape’s match against Aigles de la Medina kicks off later today, and fans across South Africa are rooting for them. With strong performances, both UWC and Mamelodi Sundowns can prove their mettle on the continental stage and bring glory to South African women’s football.