Pro Philani looks back at the weekend’s football action which saw Mamelodi Sundowns lift their first Carling Black Label trophy, while the Ladies’ team lost out in the final of the CAFWCL.
Sundowns Ladies fail to defend their CAFWL crown
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies were beaten 4-0 by Asfar Ladies in the final of CAF Women’s Champions League 2022.
Both teams came to the final with a 100% record in the competition, with Sundowns netting a record 11 goals in the group stages. Records didn’t matter in the final though, and both teams had one target: to be crowned African champions.
Asfar were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute after captain Zanele Nhlapho was adjudged to have fouled Zineb Redouani inside the box. As if that wasn’t enough, Sundowns’ winger Rhoda Mulaudzi was sent off in the 33rd minute on a straight red card after a VAR review for a dangerous foul.
In the second half, Downs’ captain received her second yellow for a foul outside the penalty box to make matters worse for Sundowns. Afsar converted the subsequent free kick to make it 2-0. The Sundowns Ladies tried to be brave by taking the game to Afsar but were always going to be caught out at the back with two players down.
The match ended 4-0 in favour of Afsar, with Sundowns Ladies dethroned of their crown by the new champions, having suffered their first-ever defeat in CAF Women Champions League history.
𝘿𝙊𝙒𝙉𝙎 𝙂𝙊 𝘿𝙊𝙒𝙉 ❗
— #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) November 13, 2022
ASFAR 4️⃣-0️⃣ Sundowns Ladies
*ASFAR are crowned African champions, pocketing R7-million. Downs take home R4.4-million, as runners-up.#CAFCWL #UNPLAYABLE pic.twitter.com/kevoSHaNSJ
Sundowns clinch first Carling Black Label Cup in style!
Mamelodi Sundowns once again showed their class and brilliance when they dominated the one-day Carling Black Label Cup Nasrec’s FNB Stadium on Saturday.
In its reconstructed format, the high-profile unofficial trophy featured two new teams as Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu participated for the first time.
In the early morning match of the day, Sundowns outclassed AmaZulu 3-0 with goals coming from a deflected Cassius Mailula shot, Hashim Domingo tap-in and a Surprise Ralani curler. AmaZulu created a few opportunities but hardly troubled Ronwen Williams throughout the match.
The tournament is unique in the way that fans have a say in who plays, getting substituted, and choice of man of the match. Youngster, Cassius Mailula, was voted man of the match despite missing plenty of chances in the game to the frustration of his coach, Rulani Mokoena.
The second semi-final was a Soweto derby contested by old foes, Chiefs and Pirates. The last nine editions of the CBL cup were contested by both Soweto giants, who have both scored a combined 10 goals (inside 90 minutes) since its inception in 2011. As expected, the latest edition ended 0-0 in 90 minutes, leaving all spectators disappointed by the quality of play displayed by these darlings of SA football.
The better chances on the day fell on the side of Kaizer Chiefs, with the first one from striker Ashley Du Preez incorrectly ruled as offside by the assistant referee while the second one saw Kgaugelo Sekgotla denied, with just the keeper to beat, by a goal-saving tackle from Bandile Shandu.
For the fifth time in its history, the tie had to be decided on spot kicks, with the Buccaneers emerging 6-5 victors after successfully tucking away all their penalties.
A miss from Sifiso Hlanti allowed Vincent Pule to send the Sea Robbers through to their second final in seven days, which he took with great aplomb.
The losers’ final between AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs went straight to penalties, and AmaKhosi made no mistake this time around – winning the shootout 4-2 to claim bronze medals for themselves.
The final was contested by Sundowns and Pirates, with the MTN8 semi-final second leg in Polokwane still a fresh memory in Sundowns’ minds.
The Brazilians came close to scoring twice within the first six minutes, but were denied by an alert Siyabonga Mpontshane on both occasions. A moment of madness befell Pirates defender Thapelo Xoki in the 20th minute when he received his straight red card following a terrible tackle on Hashim Domingo.
The red card also fuelled fires from both benches with former Sundowns’ striker Kermit Erasmus having a go at his former coach Rulani Mokoena. The Sundowns bench was livid following that tackle on Domingo, which looked like a potential career-ender. The security at the stadium quickly surrounded both benches to ensure nothing serious played out as tempers flared and words were exchanged during heated arguments.
Straight back into the action, midfielder Siphelele Mkhulise found himself through on goal to score an opener for Sundowns from a Lebo Maboe pass deep in midfield. A few minutes later, defender Grant Kekana made it 2-0 with a simple tap-in following a well-worked corner routine by Aubrey Modiba.
As if that wasn’t enough, Sundowns found the third inside the box. Lesedi Kapinga found Cassius Mailula, unmarked inside the area and made no mistake to make it 3-0 for the Brazilians.
The second half had little goalmouth action, and Sundowns looked to turn a match into a passing drills training session. After the hour mark that man Mailula, again, made it 4-0 to end any hopes for the Buccaneers in the stands.
The CBL Cup tally went from 10 goals in 10 years to 17 goals in 11 years with Sundowns becoming the highest scorers and only scorers on the day, in the tournament’s history with seven goals.
Thus a ridiculous score by Mamelodi Sundowns. 7 goals in Carling black label Cup. I mean it's their first day in the office, but it scored more Goals than teams that were participating in the Carling for years. pic.twitter.com/VtoflN6049
— Tebatjo Moepya (@MoepyaTebatjo) November 13, 2022
