After a 1-0 win over Moroccan champions and 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League winner, AS FAR FC in the semi final of the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League, the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Jerry Tshabalala says the North Africans fell into the trap set for them.
First half dominance from Mohamed Amine Alioua’s side did’t result into good finishng in the final third, giving Tshabalala’s side the opportunity to hurt them in the second half.
Boitumelo Rabale scored the winner in the 72nd minute which lifted the South Africans into their third straight Champions League final.
“AS FAR are a very good side in the first 60 minutes. They are strong and will come at you. I told my players that we just need to contain them and I know that in the last 20 minutes of the game, we will get the result, hence you saw that they defended in the second half. They fell into our trap,” Tshabalala told journalists after the game in Korhogo.
The win ended Sundowns two match winless run against the Moroccans after a daw and a loss in previous encounters.
“I once said that we have played AS FAR twice, let’s see what will happen in the third game.” He continued.
“If they beat us then I will say they are better than us. With players coming from the national team, the experience gathered at the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was huge to play with players at the highest level. When we come here and have to play AS FAR FC with about ten players from the Moroccan national team, it tells you that we are basically playing against the Moroccan national team when we are only Mamelodi Sundowns. Overall, we know that the national team experience played a huge part in the club.
“Like I said before now that a team that will come with a good tactic will come up victorious. Honestly speaking, AS FAR FC is a very good side technically and tactically. They started with a certain formation. When they realised that we have neutralised their major player, Fatima Tagnaout, they brought in a new player and changed their formation. If you have got a very good coach like AS FAR FC coach who can change three systems in a game, that has to be very good. We were tested and came up top from the test that was given to us. Tactically the are a very good side.”
Sundowns have won all four games at the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League while playing all their games at the Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Korhogo, the venue of the final against debutant, Sporting Club Casablanca (Morocco) on Sunday.
“There is one thing I like about the people of Korhogo.” He added. “They loves Mamelodi Sundowns. The people of Korhogo supports good football. If you play good football, people of Korohgo loves you. The shout from the crowd was enough motivation to say that we are loved here in Korohgo. We than them for the support. We still have one more game to play, come in numbers to support Mamelodi Sundowns.” He concluded.
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