2021 winner, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have played all their games at the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League at the Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Korhogo ahead of Sunday’s final match with Sporting Club Casablanca at the same venue.
Defender and team captain, Zanele Portia Nhlapho is seeking more support from the fans in Korhogo as the team prepares to reclaim the title it lost to AS FAR FC last year in Morocco
With four wins out of four games in this year’s tournament coupled with four clean sheets, the South African champions are the team to beat
“We don’t have to worry much about our opponents but about ourselves,” Nhlapho told journalists during the pre-match press conference on Saturday.
“As a team, we have one goal. We left South Africa with the goal of winning the tournament. I believe that we are a team that is ready and has players that are capable of fighting for the trophy.
“People in Korhogo have been good to us since day one including the people that are where we stay. We really appreciate their support. It means a lot to us as a team. They are different people compared to other countries. They have good hearts. They must keep on supporting us. We love what they are doing. Their support gives us a boost and morale when we are on the field of play. If they can keep on supporting us, we won’t disappoint. They are like the 12th men on the field.”
She was sent off during her team’s 4-0 loss to AS FAR FC (Morocco) in the final last year. Facing another Moroccan side in the final this year, Nhlapho is confident the Brazilians can win their second title in Ivory Coast.
“This year is a different ball game and mindset.”She added. “Last year, I got a red card which I forgot about. We are in a different country. I believe that we are here for victory. You can see from the first game that we played, we showed character and what we are capable of doing on the field of play.
“We do discuss among ourselves our determination to win the Champions League which is one of the important things for us as a team. We need to win the Champions League back-to-back when we have the chance to win it. I believe this is the time we can do something out of nothing. This is the time that we need to go back home with the trophy.” She concluded.
A win for Sundowns on Sunday will make the team the most successful club in the three-year-old competition ahead of AS FAR FC which has also won a title.
Debutant, SC Casablanca will hope to break the domineering forces behind Sundowns.
