Edo Queens send defending champions Sundowns packing, FC Masar make history
In a dramatic twist of events in Casablanca on Saturday, 16 November, Edo Queens crushed Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ hopes of defending their CAF Women’s Champions League title with a come from behind 2-1 victory to not only secure their place in the semi-finals but eliminate the defending champions.
After a 24th minute goal by Melinda Kgadiete thanks to a Karabo Dlamini assist, Sundowns held the slender lead until the dying moments of the match before Emem Essien’s equaliser in the referee’s added time saw the South African’s title hopes dashed.
With Queens needing just a victory, the late strike was enough to see them through.
The nail was officially hammered in the defending champions’ coffin after Mary Mamudu pounced on some questionable defending from a set piece to fire the Nigerians into the lead and seal an unforgettable victory over the defending champions in the last seconds of added time.
In a simultaneous Group B fixture on Saturday, fellow debutants FC Masar also registered a victory over Central Bank of Ethiopia in their final group match to successfully book their place in the semi-finals.
The Egyptians’ fairy tale run continues in the CAF Women’s Champions League, with a historic berth into the semi-finals that will see them remain in contention for a dream continental title.
After a nervy start, the Egyptians grabbed the all-important lead through Sandrine Niyonkuru in the 24th minute ahead of the break.
With victory well in sight, Masar extended their lead towards the closing minutes thanks to Yassmine Zezo’s 85th minute strike that sealed the victory for the academy side.
CBE did find a consolation goal in referee’s added time with Senaf Wakuma finding the back of the net in the dying seconds of the match.
With tournament hosts, AS FAR as well as TP Mazembe both securing their places on Friday, Queens and Masar’s respective victories officially marks the battle lines for the semi-finals of the competition set to take place on Tuesday, 19 November.
Edo Queens will kick off the semi-finals in the earlier fixture when they face off against TP Mazembe, before a North African battle between hosts, AS FAR and FC Masar concludes the semi-finals to decide the last two standing teams of the competition.
CAF Women’s Champions League Semi-Final Fixtures
16h00 | Edo Queens vs TP Mazembe
19h00 | AS FAR vs FC Masar