Rampant University of the Western Cape (UWC) brushed aside Young Buffaloes 6-0 on Thursday to set up a final meeting with Gaborone United at the CAF Women’s Champions League | Cosafa Qualifiers in Malawi.
United had earlier edged Herentals Queens 1-0 in the first semifinal at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.
The second semifinal was played in front of full stands and was expected to be tight between the neighbours. However, it proved a no-contest as Buffaloes conceded early in the ninth minute. Their goalkeeper Gcinile Dlamini committed a foul and gave away a penalty, which Nondumiso Manengela converted.
The goal made life easier for the South Africans, who cushioned their lead through Bongeka Gamede’s delightful header after guiding in a corner-kick in the 26th minute.
UWC continued to dictate matters as they led 2-0 at break.
Substitute Ntombifikile Ndlovu added the third goal without breaking sweat in the 61st minute. She rolled the ball across the goalline after Buffaloes keeper Dlamini dropped a harmless-looking shot at the foot of the near-post.
Some 13 minutes later, UWC added the fourth goal through Tiffany Kortjie’s point- blank finish. The goals continued to come from the Thinasonke Mbuli’s charges who added the fifth four minutes later. Koketso Mamabolo made the most of sloppy goalkeeping to finish the ball into the net.
Sibulele Holweni completed the rout from the penalty spot after a foul in the penalty box on the dot of full-time.
In an earlier kick-off, United qualified for the final after edging Herentals Queens 1-0 courtesy of winger Yaone Modise’s late strike.
Modise ran onto a through ball, shrugged off her marker then placed her effort hard- and-low to the left and away from diving keeper Magwede with eight minutes remaining on the clock.
The goal sparked some life into an otherwise cagey affair that produced nothing much in the first half. Queens attacked more but lacked firepower with Maudy Mafuruse and her strike partner Polite Mabika isolated.
United, too, did not pose any threat to their opponents who stood their ground defensively thanks to Tumbare Egness and Talent Mukwanda’s great sense of awareness, marking space, anticipation and positioning.
United and UWC meet on Saturday at the same venue to contest for the region’s remaining slot for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals and join already qualified holders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Meanwhile, Cosafa has announced that the final will take place at 2pm and not 3pm as originally scheduled. You can watch the final streamed live on FIFA+. – cosafa.com
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