FCF Mazembe is set to face AS FAR in the CAF Women’s Champions League final on Saturday, November 23, in El Jadida, Morocco. The match brings together AS FAR, champions in 2022, and Mazembe, the surprise package of the tournament, with both teams vying to cement their legacy in African women’s football.
For Mazembe, the final is not just about securing a trophy—it is an opportunity to avenge their 3-1 defeat to AS FAR earlier in the competition.
The stakes are high as the Congolese side prepares to write their name in the annals of African football history.
Fresh from their dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over Nigeria’s Edo Queens in the semi-finals, Mazembe is entering the showdown with renewed confidence and determination.
Lamia Boumedhi Calls for Focus
Mazembe’s head coach, Lamia Boumedhi, has emphasized the importance of minimizing mistakes and staying focused for the full 90 minutes.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, she acknowledged the challenges her team has faced along the way.
“During the first match of the competition, we lost two starting players.
Now we have to deal with it. A final is still a final. It is decided on small details. We have to be focused and avoid making mistakes. Mazembe is not impossible,” she said.
Reflecting on the resilience her team showed in the semi-final, Boumedhi expressed confidence in their ability to deliver under pressure.
“The semi-final match was crazy… If we play the same way, I’m sure we’ll win this cup,” she added.
Despite injuries to key players like Edet Glory and Thelma Baffour, Mazembe has shown adaptability and unity, qualities they will need to overcome a formidable AS FAR side.
AS FAR’s Experience vs. Mazembe’s Determination
AS FAR enters the final with the advantage of experience and the backing of a home crowd.
The Moroccan side, known for its well-structured play and collective strength, will look to reclaim the title they lost in 2023.
Mazembe, on the other hand, will rely on their resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments. Lessons learned from their previous defeat to AS FAR will be crucial.
Missed opportunities, such as Thelma Baffour’s penalty and Kanjinga’s disallowed goal in their group-stage encounter, serve as reminders of the fine margins in football.
Victory for Mazembe would make them the first Congolese and Central African club to win the Women’s Champions League, a milestone that carries immense significance.
As the Black and Whites prepare for this historic clash, their journey has already exemplified grit, unity, and the ambition to make history.
