Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies reach CAF Women’s Champions League final after Kawempe rout

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies reached the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League final for the first time since 2023 after beating Kawempe Muslim Ladies 4-1 at Suez Canal Stadium on Wednesday.

Ronnel Donnelly scored the first hat-trick of her Champions League career and the first of this year’s tournament, while Noxolo Cesane added the other goal for the COSAFA champions.

Sundowns will play defending champions ASFAR in Sunday’s final.

Godfrey Sapula made one change to the team that defeated FUS Rabat 3-0 in their final group match, bringing Lelona Daweti into the starting line-up in place of Boitumelo Rabale.

The South African side began at a high tempo but failed to capitalise on their early pressure. Refilwe Tholakele had an effort blocked inside the penalty area in the 18th minute.

Sundowns also survived a scare eight minutes later when Andile Dlamini’s attempted clearance resulted in a spill. Karabo Dhlamini was on hand to clear the ball from the goal-line.

The breakthrough came in the 31st minute, when Donnelly finished from an Asanda Hadebe pass. Nonhalnhla Mthandi and Daweti then missed opportunities to extend the lead shortly after the half-hour mark.

Daweti turned provider for Donnelly’s second goal in the 34th minute, and the forward completed her hat-trick three minutes later. Cesane made it 4-0 just before half-time, striking the ball firmly with her left foot.

Neither team made an immediate change after the interval. Sundowns created the first significant opening of the second half after 10 minutes, but Daweti’s attempt went straight at the goalkeeper.

Kawempe responded moments later when Agnes Nabukenya tested Dlamini with a long-range effort. The Ugandan side’s captain, Shakira Nyinagahirwa, also forced a save from the South African goalkeeper in the 61st minute, although the attempt did not seriously threaten her.

Kawempe’s pressure eventually produced a goal in the 72nd minute. Latifah Nakasi headed in to reduce the deficit and provide a consolation for the East African side.

Sundowns came close to adding a fifth in stoppage time, but Tholakele’s effort struck the crossbar.

Kawempe then appeared to score again at the other end, only for the goal to be disallowed following a VAR review for a foul in the build-up. Anitah Namata was shown a red card in the aftermath.

The result puts Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies into their first CAF Women’s Champions League final since 2023, with AS FAR awaiting them on Sunday.