By Emegwoako C. Paschal
ASFAR FC won their first CAF Women’s Champions League after defeating holder Mamelodi Sundowns 4 – 0 on Sunday, November 13th at Stade Prince Moulay Abdullah in Morocco.
According to CAF, the Moroccan and South African giants started the final rematch at the same venue where their national teams met in July, with long-range efforts from Chuene Morifi and Bambanani Mbane in the fifth minute, moments before Jraidi’s attempt.
Zanele Nhlapho brought Zineb Redouani down inside the area, giving the hosts a penalty, which Fatima Tagnaout converted to give ASFAR the lead in the 15th minute.
After falling behind for the first time in two editions, Jerry Tshabalala’s ladies’ woes were exacerbated when Rhoda Mulaudzi was given the marching orders on the half-hour mark after a poor challenge on Redouani.
Ahmamou Douha threatened to double the hosts’ lead four minutes before halftime, but her weak effort inside the area failed to trouble keeper Andile Dlamini.
The Moroccans returned to the game on a high note, almost scoring their second goal of the game when Aziza Rabbah’s header came off the crossbar three minutes after the restart.
The South Africans were reduced to nine players after captain Nhlapho received her second booking of the game in the 52nd minute for a poor challenge on Redouani.
Two minutes later, Tagnaout brilliantly teed up Jraidi to power home from inside the area from the resulting freekick for Mohamed Amine Alioua’s ladies.
Despite being two players down, the South Africans attempted a comeback through Lelona Daweti and Melinda, but the duo were unable to capitalize on their half-chances.
Jraidi fired past Dlamini to score the third goal in the 87th minute before completing the rout at the death to exact sweet revenge for the Atlas Lionesses Women’s Africa Cup.
