Zambian champions Green Buffaloes have claimed the 2022 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier with a 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory over holders Mamelodi Sundowns in the final at the sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
A hard-fought final yielded no goals before Buffaloes held their nerve in the shoot-out to claim a famous win and be the second side to put their name on the trophy.
Both teams have qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League finals in Morocco later this year and will represent the COSAFA region in the continental showpiece.
The final finished goalless after 120 minutes, with both teams appearing to tire and few chances through the game.
Their well-organised and structured play also saw them cancel each other out in the final third, though Sundowns did have to play the final 40 minutes in the contest with 10 players after a red card.
The post-match penalties went to sudden death and when Leona Daweti ballooned her shot over the crossbar, Chuene Morifi had her shot saved by Buffaloes’ goalkeeper Aisha Mbwana, captain Joana Benai slotted the spot-kick to win the day for the Zambian club.
Double Action Ladies from Botswana claimed the bronze medal with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Olympique de Moroni.
Obonetse Rathari scored a brace, her first a fine shot from the edge of the box and the second from the penalty-spot.
Double Action completed the win with a third late on as Moroni’s Hadhirami Anlaouia headed a free-kick into her own net.
Sundowns forward Melinda Kgadiete claimed the Player of the Tournament award, while the Golden Glove when to Green Buffaloes goalkeeper Aisha Mbwana.
Ireen Lungu from Buffaloes won the Golden Boot for her five goals while Double Action take home the Fair Play prize.
