Mamelodi Sundowns are through to the semi-final stage at the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League, Morocco 2022.
The Brazilians defeated TP Mazembe 2-0 in their final Group B match played at Grand Stade de Marrakech on Sunday evening.
A draw was all Masandawana needed to advance, but the South Africans were out to maintain their perfect start as early as the 19th minute when Zanele Nhlapo opened the scoring from the spot after Chuene Morifi was brought down inside the box.
The Congolese, however, made efforts to bounce back through the attack spearheaded by Merville Kanjinga but could not find a way past Nhlapho led Sundowns’ defence.
After keeping Mazembe at bay, the Brazilians mounted an attack again when Melinda Kgadiete set up Lelona Daweti to net her fourth goal of the tournament five minutes before the half time.
After the break, unrelenting Sundowns continued from where they left off as Bambanani Mbane sent through a long cross which found Kgadiete inside the area to fire home a third of the match four minutes after the restart.
In the latter stage, Marcello Kadiamba’s ladies came alive, threatening through Naoime Kabakaba and Kanjinga but keeper Andile Dlamini made brilliant efforts to stop them.
On the brink of regulation time, Sundowns buried Mazembe’s comeback when substitute Gabonnelwe Kekana completed the rout with the fourth off substitute Nonhlanha Mthandi’s pass.
The victory means Jerry Tshabalala’s side won all their matches in the group stage and finished top of Group A, scoring 11 goals.
On the other hand, Mazembe will bid the competition goodbye following their back-to-back group stage defeats, including against Bayelsa Queens.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns defender Bambanani Mbane was named the Woman of the Match following her fine display in the emphatic victory over the Central African champions.
Source: Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)