Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club were handed their first defeat of the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League on Wednesday evening.
The COSAFA Champions succumbed to a 2-1 loss at the hands of hosts Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal women (AS FAR Rabat).
Coach Charles Haalubono maintained the same starting line up that thrashed Liberian side Determine Girls on Sunday.
The hosts were the first to threaten early on but could not beat Aisha Mbwana in goal.
Buffaloes were however the first to open the scoring in the 19th minute as Ireen Lungu finished off a team move with a fine strike.
AS FAR were awarded a penalty eleven minutes later after Ibtissam Jraidi was brought down by Aisha Mbwana inside the box.
Fatima Tagnaout stepped up and sent Mbwana the wrong way to level matters. The match went to the break level at 1-1.
In the second half AS FAR continued their dominance controlling play and Green Buffaloes chasing the match.
Things turned from bad to worse when Ibtissam Jraidi was again brought down in the box this time by Martha Tembo.
Fatima Tagnaout stepped up again and made no mistake sending Mbwana the wrong way to take the lead for the first time in the match.
AS FAR were reduced to ten men after Zineb Redouani was shown a straight red card after a dangerous foul on Natasha Nanyangwe.
The Zambian Champions tried to find a way back into the match but AS FAR held on to win the match 2-1.
Buffaloes will now need to avoid defeat on Saturday when they take on Simba Queens at the Grand Stade de Marrakech at 21:00hrs to book a place in the semifinals.
