Sundowns Ladies beat Lekie to secure first 2026 Champions League win

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies claimed their first victory at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League finals with a 2-1 win over Lekie Football Girls at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Wednesday.

The result moved the South African side to the top of Group A on four points after two matches. Lekie remain bottom of the group without a point from their opening two games.

Sundowns coach Godfrey Sapula made three changes to the team that drew with FC Masar in their opening fixture. Asanda Hadebe replaced Khutso Pila, Amanda Mthandi came in for Wendy Shongwe and Nthabiseng Majiya started instead of Isabella Ludwig.

The Hollywoodbets Super League champions threatened inside the first five minutes when Ronnel Donnelly took advantage of a poor clearance, but her effort from inside the penalty area struck the upright.

Lekie appeared to take the lead in the eighth minute through Ajara Nchout, although the goal was ruled out for offside. Both teams then struggled to find a way through as they traded possession without creating clear openings.

Nchout tested Sundowns again three minutes after the half-hour mark, sending a long-range effort over the crossbar.

Sundowns thought they had broken the deadlock five minutes before half-time when Bambanani Mbane headed in a pass from Majiya, but that effort was also disallowed for offside.

The opening goal did arrive two minutes later. Donnelly created the opportunity for Refilwe Tholakele, and the Botswana international finished to register Sundowns’ first goal of the tournament.

Donnelly had two chances to extend the lead before the interval but was unable to convert either opportunity. Lekie could have levelled in added time at the end of the half, but Monele Nnanga’s shot went narrowly wide.

Sundowns returned for the second half unchanged, while Lekie made one substitution. Majiya and Donnelly both had early opportunities to score again, but on each occasion the Lekie goalkeeper made a straightforward save.

Lelona Daweti went close with her first touch after coming on in the 77th minute. She met a corner from Karabo Dlamini but headed just over the bar.

Lekie eventually drew level six minutes before full-time, with Nchout setting up Makoma Shalom to score.

Their equaliser lasted only two minutes. Dlamini’s pressure forced Makana Yakana to put the ball into her own net, restoring Sundowns’ advantage.

Sundowns will play their final Group A match against FUS Rabat on Saturday.