Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are in their third successive final of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers after defeating Green Buffaloes of Zambia 3-1 at the Sugar Ray Xulu stadium on Wednesday.
There were seven changes from the side that won 4-0 against Costa do Sol in the final Group B match in the Brazilian side.
Sundowns could have taken the lead early through Boitumelo Rabale who was denied by the cross bar in the opening three minutes. However it was the Zambians who drew blood first with a smasher from Maylan Mulenga in the 10th minute.
With momentum the defending champions could have extended their lead through Enelles Phiri, who had only the goalkeeper to beat but her header went wide.
Sundowns tried to get back into the game, Lebogang Ramalepe found Refilwe Tholakele but she shot wide but they won a corner-kick just after the half hour mark where captain Zanele Nhlapo headed home to level matters.
Chuene Morifi the tournament’s top assist provider with five so far scored her second goal of the tournament and gave Sundowns the lead for the first time in the game in the 60th minute, while Tiisetso Makhubela slotted home a penalty in the 81st minute after Andisiwe Mgcoyi was brought down in the box.
Sundowns were the highest scorers in the Group stages with 16 goals and only conceded in the semi-finals.
Jerry Tshabalala’s side will now meet Bostwana’s Double Action Ladies in the final for a ticket to the Ivory Coast at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals as the regional representatives.
The final is scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off at the same venue after the third place play-off between Do Sol and the Buffaloes.
