Sundowns Ladies secure first CAF Women’s Champions League victory

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies claimed their first win of the CAF Women’s Champions League after a late own goal earned them a 2-1 victory over Cameroon’s Lekie Football Filles on Wednesday afternoon.

The South African side appeared set to settle for a second draw when Lekie Football Filles equalised in the 84th minute. But defender Ivana Yakana turned the ball into her own net four minutes later, giving Sundowns the decisive goal and their first three points of the tournament.

Sundowns had opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Masar over the weekend. Lekie Football Filles had also taken a point in their opening match, drawing with defending champions AS FAR of Morocco.

The Cameroonian side thought they had made the perfect start when they found the net inside the opening 10 minutes. Their celebrations were short-lived, however, as the goal was ruled out for offside.

Sundowns then had a goal disallowed in the 38th minute. Bambanani Mbane put the ball in the net, but the South Africans were denied after a Video Assistant Referee review identified an offside infringement.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the closing five minutes of the first half. Botswana forward Refilwe Tholakele finished from close range after Ronnel Donnelly had shown determination to win the ball and create the opportunity.

Donnelly came close to adding a second goal eight minutes after the restart. Her header appeared to threaten the Lekie goal, but goalkeeper Calixte Chantal kept it out to ensure her side remained within reach of an equaliser.

That equaliser came six minutes from time when Tim Shalom Makoma struck for Lekie Football Filles, restoring parity and putting the result in doubt.

Sundowns, though, responded immediately. Their persistence was rewarded in the 88th minute when Yakana deflected the ball into her own goal, leaving the South Africans with a late victory.