CAF WCL: AS FAR secure second African crown with hard-fought win over ASEC Mimosas

AS FAR clinched their second CAF Women’s Champions League title with a 2–1 victory over ASEC Mimosas in Friday’s final at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, completing a determined performance that restored the Moroccan side to the top of African women’s club football.

Having fallen short in last year’s final against TP Mazembe, AS FAR entered this edition with the clear ambition of reclaiming the trophy they first won in 2022.

Their focus was evident from the opening whistle, and it took only 13 minutes for them to force the breakthrough.

A foul by Anastasie Gbehi on Zineb Radouani handed AS FAR an early penalty, which captain Hanane Aït El Haj converted with composure, lofting her effort beyond ASEC goalkeeper Nina Dabilgou.

ASEC, playing in their first continental final, showed impressive resolve throughout.

Their attacking intent was rewarded shortly after the restart when Ami Diallo latched onto a precise pass from Sophie Brou and finished confidently to level the match in the 55th minute.

The equaliser injected fresh energy into the Ivorian side, who pushed forward in search of a second goal while maintaining discipline at the back.

The final turned tense as both teams battled for control, but AS FAR gradually regained momentum.

Their sustained pressure paid off in the 85th minute when substitute Sofia Bouftini drew a second penalty after Noura Diarra was judged to have committed dangerous play inside the area.

Radouani, later named Player of the Match, stepped up this time and sent her effort past Dabilgou, who anticipated correctly but could not keep the ball out.

ASEC’s hopes faded in the closing moments, and frustration boiled over when Gbehi was sent off in stoppage time, leaving the Ivorian club with little chance to mount one final challenge.

Earlier in the day, TP Mazembe secured third place with a 3–1 victory over Egypt’s FC Masar.

Rosemary Oluwafunmilayo opened the scoring for the Congolese side in the 17th minute, only for Hasnath Ubamba to equalise moments later.

Mazembe then took full control, with Marlène Kasaj scoring from the spot in the 38th minute before adding her second in first-half stoppage time.

Masar missed an opportunity to reduce the deficit when Yassmin Mohamed Abdelaziz Hassamin failed to convert a late penalty.

At the conclusion of the tournament, AS FAR’s veteran goalkeeper Khadidja Errmichi, aged 36, was honoured as the competition’s best goalkeeper.

ASEC Mimosas’ rising talent Habibou Ouedraogo, 23, was named best player of the tournament.