Donnelly treble sends Mamelodi Sundowns into Women’s Champions League final

Ronnel Donnelly scored three times in eight first-half minutes as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Kawempe Muslim Ladies 4-1 to reach the 2026 Caf Women’s Champions League final.

The Banyana Banyana forward’s hat-trick came during Wednesday’s semi-final at Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, as the twice champions secured another place in the continental final.

Noxolo Cesane added Sundowns’ fourth goal before Latifah Nakasi scored a consolation for the Ugandan side.

Sundowns will face defending champions AS FAR Rabat in Sunday’s final. AS FAR Rabat reached the showpiece after a 1-0 victory over Leki in the earlier semi-final.

The South African club had advanced to the last four with a 3-0 win against Moroccan side FUS Rabat last weekend. Bambanani Mbane, Nthabiseng Majiya and Karabo Dhlamini scored in that quarter-final victory.

Donnelly opened the scoring in the 29th minute, although the goal was initially subject to a VAR review. The forward dribbled beyond a KML defender before going around goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya and finishing.

She doubled the advantage six minutes later, reacting quickest from close range after receiving the ball from Lelona Daweti.

Donnelly completed her treble in the 37th minute when she took advantage of a defensive error. KML struggled to contain Sundowns’ pace as the South African side established a commanding lead.

Sundowns extended that advantage just before half-time. Cesane struck a powerful left-footed shot which gave Nambuya no opportunity to make a save.

KML reduced the deficit in the 71st minute through Nakasi, but the forward was denied a second goal after VAR ruled that a foul had been committed during the build-up before she beat Sundowns goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

The result puts Sundowns into another Caf Women’s Champions League final, where they will attempt to add to their record as two-time champions.