CAF Women’s Champions League: Explosive semi-finals clashes expected
Korhogo, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - The last four teams standing in the CAF Women’s Champions League, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 are ready for the big showdown on Wednesday, 15 November, as Africa’s premier women’s club competition enters the exciting knockout stages.
Reigning champions, AS Far take on the in-form Mamelodi Sundowns in a repeat of last season’s finals at Korhogo’s Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium at 17h00 GMT, while tournament debutants, Ampem Darkoa face fellow newcomers, SC Casablanca at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro at 20h00 GMT.
In a repeat of the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League, two of this season’s tournament favourites -- Mamelodi Sundowns and AS Far must face each other head on in the semi-finals to determine who will advance to the finals, CAF Online reported.
The unsavory 4-0 defeat suffered at the hands of AS Far in last season’s finals still lingers in the minds of Mamelodi Sundowns who not only lost to the North African side, but subsequently surrendered their title to them.
Albeit a jittery start to the competition, the defending champions seem to have finally found their rhythm and are ready to face a ruthless Sundowns who have been clinical in front of goal, while also keeping the back door shut.
Sundowns finished top of Group A with a 100%-win record over JTK Queens, SC Casablanca and tournament hosts, Athletico Abidjan.
Interestingly, Sundowns are the only team yet to taste defeat in the group stages of the competition since the inaugural edition in 2021.
Looking at their opponents, AS Far had a faulty start this season, suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to tournament debutants, Ampem Darkoa.
The wake-up call saw the defending champions quickly regroup to grind out a 1-0 win over Huracanes before overcoming AS Mande 2-0 to set up the mouth-watering tie against Sundowns.
Both teams are aiming for a second continental title, setting up what promises to be an action packed encounter in a reunion of giants in Korhogo on Wednesday evening.
The Ampem Darkoa vs Sporting Club Casablanca has been dubbed "The novices’ duel."
Not only are they making their CAF Women’s Champions League debuts, Ampem Darkoa and Sporting Casablanca have made it through to the semi-finals of the competition, guaranteeing a debutant in the finals of this season’s edition.
In their maiden season, Ampem Darkoa sent shockwaves across the continent after coming from behind to stun defending champions, AS Far, 2-1 in their opening match before losing to AS Mande and bouncing back in style with a 3-1 win over Huracanes to secure a place in the semi-finals on first attempt.
In SC Casablanca, they face a newly found women’s club that is spirited and eager to write its name in the history books of African football.
Coach Medhi El Quichori’s charges got their campaign off to a 1-1 stalemate against hosts, Athletico FC then suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.
They did however bounce back in style with a 4-1 thrashing of JKT Queens which saw them secure a historic semi-finals spot.
Their qualification means that there will be two Moroccan teams in the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League this season.
-0- PANA MA 14Nov2023
