AFCON Women's CL qualifiers: "Amani are not a team to underrate", says Malabo King goalkeeper
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (PANA) - Equatorial Guinea's Malabo King will continue their qualification bid against DR Congo's FCF Amani in the final of Central African Football Federations' Union (UNIFFAC) Qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Champions League on Sunday, August 29, at Estadio de Malabo.
The Equatorial Guineans eliminated Louves Minproff, following a 1-0 home and 3-0 away victories over the Cameroonian giants to reach the final round of the zonal qualifying series.
Ahead of the first-leg tie, Malabo first-choice goalkeeper Ruth Sunday, who boasted back-to-back clean sheets against Louves, reiterated her side's quest in the Central African playoffs.
"Coming into the competition, our sole target is to qualify for the finals in Egypt," Sunday, who is also an Equatorial Guinea international, told CAFOnline.com.
"It's exciting that we've managed to cross the first hurdle of the qualifying series, beating our opponents from Cameroon.
"As a team, we are happy to reach this stage. It was no mean feat as they were a tough opposition but we triumphed thanks to our determination and teamwork."
Despite fancied favourites, Malabo must have to edge the Congolese, who overturned a 1-0 first leg away deficit against Gabonese side Missile FC to advance, after a 3-1 second leg win.
And shot stopper Sunday has warned her side against underestimating their Congolese visitors in Malabo, despite sharing high optimism about her side's resolve to clinch the ticket to Egypt.
"Going up against Amani, we have been following their journey in the qualifiers too and understand they are a good side and also not a team to underrate. They will also present us with a different challenge," she continued.
"Nonetheless, we aim to remain at our best, keep up our fighting spirit and great teamwork as well. Also approach each game of the final playoff matches as it comes with great determination.
"As said before, our ultimate goal is to be in Egypt and it will surely be a dream come true and boost the profiles of everyone on the team to achieve this."
The second leg will take place on September 12 at Stade Joseph Kabila Kabange in Kindu.
Winner between Malabo and Amani over home and away will earn the sole slot to represent the Central African zone in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Champions League in Egypt.
-0- PANA VAO 27Aug2021
