Mamelodi Sundowns enjoyed a successful start to the defence of their CAF Women’s Champions League title with a brace from Lelona Daweti helping them to a 2-1 win against Bayelsa Queens in Marrakech on Monday.
Bayelsa Queens made the brightest of starts to the contest when Maryann Ezenagu almost gave the Nigerians the lead as early as the third minute but her weak one-on-one effort inside the box was easily saved by goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
Flourish Sabastine and Juliet Sunday saw moments in front of goal but could not profit from their chances as they were denied by brilliant keeping of Dlamini inside the opening 15 minutes.
Sundowns, however came alive after soaking up pressure from the Nigerians’ attack, with Daweti testing keeper Bawou Gabrielle from distance in the 17th minute before Chuene Morifi’s shot inside the box was denied by the Cameroonian shot-stopper three minutes later.
Goal-hungry Daweti finally broke the deadlock for the five-time South African champions when she was brilliantly set up by Thelea Smidt to open the scoring in the 32nd minute.
The champions continued their high pressing and almost got their lead doubled when Rhoda Mulaudzi’s cross found Melinda Kgadiete inside the area but the latter missed a sitter five minutes later.
The Prosperity ladies made a lively return, with Chinyere Igbomalu spearheading the early threats in the bid for an early comeback after the restart but they failed to find the back of the net.
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Jerry Tshabalala’s side, however, mounted another purposeful attack and found a breakthrough when Kgadiete superbly aided Daweti for her second of the match to the shock of the Nigerians in the 58th minute.
In the closing stage, Domo Okara made crucial changes, introducing Mary Anjor and Mercy Itimi as late substitutes and the former superbly pulled one back thanks to Sabastine’s assist in the 85th minute.
Despite Bayelsa’s push for a late leveller, the title holders kept their calm to seal their winning start to the competition.
After an inspired win off Player of the Match winner Daweti’s double, Tshabalala’s ladies will look forward to a consecutive triumph against Egyptian champions Wadi Degla on November 3.
Credit: CAF media | CAFonline.com
