Double Action Ladies will play Mamelodi Sundowns in a mouth-watering final of the CAF Women’s Champions League | Cosafa Qualifiers 2023 on Friday after both won their semifinal clashes at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Wednesday.
Double Action captain Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse scored a goal in each half to help her side make history by claiming their first final appearance at the regional tournament with a 2-0 win over Costa do Sol from Mozambique.
Philimon Makwengwe’s charges have twice before reached the knockout stage in 2021 and 2022, but failed in the semifinals and have now given themselves a shot at international glory with their progression to the decider.
The winner of this year’s competition will represent the Cosafa region at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals in Ivory Coast in November. The brace also sees Ontlametse joining the battle of the top goal scorers at this year’s event as she sits on three goals ahead of the final.
The second semifinal between Sundowns and defending champions Green Buffaloes of Zambia was a repeat of last year’s deciding match and got off to a hot start with Boitumelo Rabale almost opening the scoring in the opening three minutes but was denied by the wood work.
Soon after the defending champions broke the deadlock with beautiful strike from Maylan Mulenga, a lead they enjoyed for 20 minutes until Sundowns found the equaliser through their captain Zanele Nhlapho.
Winger Chuene Morifi, who has been involved in 80% of the goal creation for Sundowns this tournament, scored her second goal of the qualifiers in the second half, while the third came from a Tiisetso Makhubela penalty late in the game.
Makhubela joins Ontlametse on three goals in the competition and top of the scorers charts, where they are joined by Lelona Daweti and Andisiwe Mgcoyi (both Mamelodi Sundowns), and Lesego Radiakanyo (Double Action).
Wednesday’s losing teams, Costa do Sol and Green Buffaloes, will vie for third place and the bronze medal as a curtain-raiser to Friday’s decider.