He also believes that Sundowns’ recent wins in Africa give them a solid base for their exploits in the Club World Cup. “The experience of continental success will help them remember the importance of working as a collective, believing in each other’s abilities and trusting the work that has been put into their game.”

“The bigger idea is that every pass, tackle, and goal from Sundowns in this tournament will be seen as a sign of African football’s standing in the world.”

Sundowns’ group stage fixtures all times in GMT:

• Ulsan HD v Mamelodi Sundowns: Wednesday, 18 June: 10:00pm
• Mamelodi Sundowns v Borussia Dortmund: Saturday, 21 June: 4:00pm
• Mamelodi Sundowns v Fluminense: Wednesday, 25 June: 7:00pm

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About Showmax 

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Having drawn the first leg 1-1 in Pretoria, the Egyptian side secured a 3-2 aggregate win, becoming the fourth different club from Egypt to win Africa’s most prestigious club competition—joining Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily in a feat unmatched by any other nation.

Pyramids began with purpose in front of a passionate home crowd, taking the lead in the 23rd minute through their prolific striker Fiston Mayele, who rifled a low shot into the far corner after a clever move on the right side.

The goal marked his ninth in the competition and confirmed his status as one of the key figures in Pyramids’ historic run.

The home side doubled their lead shortly after the restart when defender Ahmed Samy rose highest to head home from a Mohamed Chibi cross in the 56th minute, sending the Cairo crowd into a frenzy.

Despite trailing by two goals, Sundowns showed resilience.

Iqraam Rayners pulled one back for the South African champions in the 75th minute with a composed finish from close range, setting up a tense finale.

Miguel Cardoso’s side pushed forward relentlessly in the final minutes, with Peter Shalulile and Lebo Mothiba both having efforts blocked in a frantic closing stretch that saw 10 minutes of added time.

However, Pyramids held firm, thanks in large part to the heroics of goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy and a composed defensive performance.

The result marks the first time Pyramids have lifted the continental trophy, a decade after the club’s founding.

It also ensures Egypt maintains its hold on African football’s crown for a third consecutive year following Al Ahly’s triumphs in 2023 and 2024.

Meanwhile, it was a night of heartbreak for Sundowns, who were seeking their second CAF title and aiming to become the first side since Al Ahly in 2012 to win after failing to secure a home-leg advantage in the final.

Instead, the Brazilians suffer their second defeat in a Champions League final, 24 years after losing to Al Ahly in 2001.

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Match background

Sundowns earned their place in the Champions League final (for the third time overall, adding to their triumph in 2016 and a runners-up finish in 2001) after finishing second in Group B behind ASFAR, before overcoming Esperance de Tunis (1-0 on aggregate) and Al Ahly (1-1 on aggregate, advance on away goals) in the quarterfinal and semifinal respectively.

Pyramids FC have reached the Champions League final for the first time (though they have also appeared in the final of the Confederation Cup in 2020, losing to RS Berkane) after finishing second in Group D behind Esperance de Tunis, before overcoming ASFAR (4-3 on aggregate) and Orlando Pirates (3-2 on aggregate).

This final will played across two legs, with the first taking place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday 24 May, while the return game is set for the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday 1 June.

What the teams are saying

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso on the qualities that have brought Sundowns to the final:

“We trust in a club that supports and gives [us] [the resources] to work hard, and trust in our families that are at home, the love we receive, trust in our supporters that are in South Africa. Basically, in brotherhood, we trust.”

Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurcic on the excitement of playing in the Champions League final:

“The [second leg of the] final will be played at our home ground. I hope 35,000 fans fill the stadium because we’ll be playing in the name of Egypt. My team reached the final because they deserve it. We don’t need support—just tell the players: you are in the final of Africa!”

Players to watch

Mamelodi Sundowns – Lucas Ribeiro

The Brazilian attacker has enjoyed a brilliant campaign for Mamelodi Sundowns, especially in domestic competitions. He will want to leave his mark on the Champions League and dominate the two legs of this final against Pyramids FC, thereby helping Sundowns become continental kings for just the second time.

Pyramids FC – Fiston Mayele

The DR Congo attacker has scored five goals in the Champions League this season (making him the co-leading marksman, alongside teammate Ibrahim Adel and Al Ahly’s Emam Ashour) – none more important than the strike which eliminated Orlando Pirates in the previous round and put Pyramids into their first Champions League final.

Head-to-head

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Pyramids have met in just two previous matches. Both were in the group stage of the 2023-24 Champions League, with the teams drawing 0-0 in Pretoria, while Sundowns claimed a 1-0 away win in Cairo thanks to a goal from Teboho Mokoena.

Sundowns have played 26 matches against Egyptian opposition down the years, with a record of 10 wins, 9 draws and 7 defeats. Pyramids’ record against South African teams is played 6, won 1, drawn 3, lost 2.

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Broadcast details

Saturday 24 May

15:00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Pyramids FC – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4

Sunday 1 June

19:00: Pyramids FC v Mamelodi Sundowns – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4

After a tense 0-0 stalemate in the first leg in Pretoria, it was Al Ahly who drew first blood in the return leg at the Cairo International Stadium.

Taher Mohamed fired the hosts into the lead midway through the first half, smashing home from outside the box after being teed up by the lively Emam Ashour.

Backed by a passionate home crowd, Al Ahly dominated much of the first period and looked on course to finally break their winless streak against the South Africans.

But Mamelodi Sundowns showed their resilience and turned the tie on its head in the closing stages.

With ten minutes remaining, a low cross caused panic in the Ahly defence, resulting in Yasser Ibrahim inadvertently turning the ball into his own net under pressure from Peter Shalulile.

It was a heartbreaking moment for the Egyptian giants and a lifeline for Sundowns, who knew a 1-1 draw would be enough to see them through.

Al Ahly threw everything forward in search of a late winner, with substitutes Achraf Bencharki and Wessam Abou Ali both going close in a frantic finale.

But Sundowns, marshalled superbly by their backline and aided by a bit of fortune, held firm to seal a famous qualification.

It marks a significant milestone for Pretoria-based side, who have now gone nine consecutive matches unbeaten against the record African champions.

Sundowns’ reward is a place in the final, where they will face either Pyramids FC or Orlando Pirates — with the second semi-final set to be decided later.

For Al Ahly, it was a night of bitter disappointment despite their brave efforts, as their dream of a record-extending CAF Champions League title came to a crashing halt at home.

However, Niemach has boldly predicted Chiefs to edge it on the day.

“There’s no doubt that we are in for a fascinating encounter,” Niemach told Showmax this week. In recent times, Sundowns have had an upper hand against Chiefs, but I feel this time will be different. Chiefs have a new manager and new staff, and they have implemented a proper structure, and have a new system in place.

“Judging by the mood ahead of the fixture, and the fact that Chiefs lost recently to Sundowns, they’re going to want to pull one over on Sundowns, so I suspect that Kaizer Chiefs is going to come into this game with a more vengeful attitude because of the last encounter. They are going to come out with a point to prove and so I feel they will just pip it.”

But Niemach knows that Chiefs will have to be at their very best if they are going to get a positive result against the current PSL champions.

“Sundowns have been impeccable over the last few years. Their style of play has been maintained; their identity has been maintained. They play possession football, catch you on the break, play short passing and have quick interplay, this is how they play. They haven’t lost their identity at all so they will be tough to beat. With Chiefs now rebuilding their identity it will be a fascinating encounter.”

Niemach is also full of praise for Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi. “Sundowns’ manager is fabulous. He is the silent killer. He is one of those that is well-equipped, knows the game well. He is one of the students of Ted Dumitru, he’s got a wonderful ethos about him. He plays total football, possession football, and he strongly emphasises on technique. Tactically he is also astute. The team are boding well, and he is a highly underrated coach, that doesn’t talk too much but gets the job done, so well done to him. And may he continue to be successful for a long time at the club.”

Niemach also believes Chiefs have chosen the right man to bring success to the club with the appointment of Nasreddine Nabi.

“The new Chiefs coach is charismatic; he ticks all the boxes. He cuts a very confident figure and seems like an authoritative figure from the bench. He certainly has put his ethos on the players and the team. They look very energised as a team and are in a good moment. It seems like they have strong characters in the team, and Nabi has a good plan to take the club forward and achieve great things with them. You have got to give Nabi a bit of time, but so far so good.”

Niemach says this bodes well for the league. “It’s going to bode very well for our local league, and Sundowns will now no longer just run away with the league. Pirates need to catch up as well, so it will be Chiefs Pirates, Sundowns and maybe even SuperSport in the fray for the title. It makes the league a lot more competitive, which is a good thing.”

While he expects Chiefs to pip Sundowns in this weekend’s game, Niemach says it’s incredibly difficult to predict a winner in a cup game. “History will tell you that in a cup game, anyone can win it. It depends on what the group ethos is on the day. So, on the day you give everything you have because it’s not the marathon of the league, this is a once off occasion, so you have to go out there and give it your absolute best, which both teams will do I am sure. It’s’ very difficult to say who’s going to be favourites, an on current form, both teams are playing really good football so it will be a cracking encounter.

“The team that occupies the rules of the game, and by rules, I mean possession, whoever occupies space and time wins the game, that’s what it’s about. You’ve got to occupy space and time. If you can control that within the game and maintain possession and keep it away from the opposition for as long as you can, and when you get an opportunity, you take it, then victory will certainly be yours.”

Niemach has also opened up about what it was like playing for big clubs such as Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs. “As a footballer coming from Durban, having played for clubs like Cape Town Spurs, and then ending up at Sundowns, I saw it as a springboard for my career. I was looking to go all the way, but it just didn’t happen for me. However, playing for Sundowns was very exciting, I liked the fact that their support base was a lot bigger than I was used to.  I liked the fact that they were more organised. I liked the fact That they were more professional in terms of their coaching, and the ways in which they approached the games. It’s fantastic for any footballer’s career. I found that I improved in many aspects of my career, but more than just in my career, I improved as a human being and a person.”

“So by the time I got to Kaizer Chiefs at the end of my career, I was already ready to throw in the towel, because one gets tired. Emotionally and mentally, you get tired of doing the same thing over and over.

“What I did find, however, was that Kaizer Chiefs lacks patience with players and with managers, and they expect instant results, and there is no room for error. I found that environment to be quite harsh and heavy taxing on a person emotionally.”

“So, football is tough, from a mental point of view. You must be strong mentally to be a good footballer.”

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A brace from top scorer Tholakele Refilwe and Boitumelo Rabale’s strike earned the South Africans victory in Cote d’Ivoire as they reclaimed the title they relinquished last year.

Sundowns’ impressive run in Cote d’Ivoire not only sees them reclaim the title they lost to AS FAR last season, but they set a record of lifting the title without conceding a single goal en route to glory.

The historic win was achieved at a packed Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on Sunday evening, where a brace by the tournament’s top goalscorer, Tholakele Refilwe accompanied by a Boitumelo Rabale strike saw the South Africans crowned champions with a 3-0 victory over Morocco’s SC Casablanca.

This was the second meeting for the two sides in the tournament after meeting in the group stages where Sundowns emerged 1-0 victors.

With a clear mission of reclaiming the title, Sundowns wasted no time in getting numbers forward and were rewarded in the 21^st minute when Refilwe converted a penalty in the 21^st minute.

Minutes later, Rabale fired the South Africans to a two-goal lead before the break from the edge of the box with a clinical finish that found the bottom corner.

Coming back from the recess, the Moroccans tried getting back into the contest but were met by a resolute Sundowns defense that frustrated each of their attacks.

With momentum on their side, the South Africans put the cherry on top with Tholakele’s 78th-minute finish to officially put the match beyond reach for the Moroccans and seal a second CAF Women’s Champions League title for Sundowns, which is accompanied by a USD 400 000 winner’s prize cheque.

While a place in the finals was the main target, this tie between the two sides was somewhat of a grudge match for the South Africans who surrendered their champions title to AS Far last season in the finals that saw AS Far being crowned champions.

An evenly balanced encounter, with nothing to separate the two sides as expected in the first half saw the tie go into the break with a goalless stalemate, as both sides approached with caution.

Coming back from recess, both sides were a bit more adventurous in search of the lead.

However, it was the South Africans who found the one and only goal in the 73rd minute, as Boitumelo Rabale connected well with a corner to fire her side into the finals of Africa’s premier women’s club competition.

The heart-breaking result sees AS Far having to settle for an opportunity to contest for the bronze medal on Saturday evening.

This is what the coaches had to say:

Mohamed Amine Alioua, coach of AS Far

“I am the main person responsible for this defeat. I take responsibility for everything. The girls did everything right. Now we will focus on the small final. Even if the disappointment hurts, we will continue to do our best in our last game”.

Jerry Tshabalala, Mamelodi Sundowns coach

“We are in the final. I warned you. I would like to sincerely thank the people of Korhogo. We feel at home. Now, we will have to correct our little shortcomings to be at the top on Sunday and offer an extraordinary finale to this audience”.

Sundowns went into the home leg trailing 2-1 but turned the tie around thanks to goals from Peter Shalulile and Aubrey Modiba at a raucous Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

The hosts started slowly as Wydad disrupted their rhythm through intensive pressing and fouls.

But Sundowns’ persistence paid off when Shalulile pounced on the rebound after Youssef El Motie parried Teboho Mokoena’s shot in first-half stoppage time.

Five minutes after the break, Modiba intercepted a wayward pass before racing through to double Sundowns’ advantage.

With Wydad now needing two goals to win the final, Sundowns cleverly slowed the game down. Multiple players took intentional yellow cards for time-wasting in the tense finale.

Wydad almost set up a grandstand finish when Ayoub El Amloud headed narrowly over with nine minutes left.

But Sundowns held firm to complete an aggregate victory that makes them the first AFL winners after the new club competition was launched this season.

Coach Rulani Mokwena masterminded a tactical plan that overcame Wydad’s early pressure before ruthlessly capitalising on errors.

The triumph caps a historic continental triump for Sundowns who have now become the first champions of the new African Football League (AFL).

An own goal from Rivaldo Coetzee and a superb late strike by Anas Serrhat gave the Moroccan giants the advantage to take into next week’s second-leg decider.

Sundowns were punished for defensive lapses but know an early goal in the second leg could swing the tie back in their favour.

Coetzee turned an attempted clearance into his own net on 43 minutes as Montassar Lahtimi’s dangerous cross caused chaos in the Sundowns’ defence.

Sundowns fought back in the second half when Abdelmonem Boutouil converted a 74th-minute penalty after Yahya Jebran’s handball.

But Wydad swiftly restored their lead as Serrhat rifled an unstoppable long-range drive beyond Ronwen Williams.

The home side nearly extended their lead but Hamdou Elhouni’s curling injury-time effort cannoned off the crossbar.

It means Wydad will defend a 2-1 aggregate lead in front of over 40,000 fans at Sundowns’ Loftus Versfeld Stadium next Sunday.

The South Africans will take encouragement from previous wins against Al Ahly and Petro Atletico en route to the final.

But Wydad are now firmly in the driving seat to be crowned the first-ever AFL champions on Moroccan soil next week with their first-leg victory.

Africa’s brand new continental competition has hosted a series of sensational games in its exciting inaugural edition and Casablanca will be a buzzing cauldron on Sunday, 05 November 2023, as hosts Wydad Athletic Club meet South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the African Football League Final.

Kick-off is at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT).

The legendary Moroccan champions squeezed past Esperance Sportive de Tunis on penalties in their two-legged AFL semi-final, while South African champions Sundowns silenced Cairo by edging out Al Ahly SC in their semi-final clash.

Now, the stage is set for two of Africa’s in-form teams to go head-to-head in what is set to be a titanic tussle for the title of inaugural Africa Football League champions – and the $4 million winners prize that goes with it.

Since kicking off on 20 October 2023 with a riveting four-goal thriller in Tanzania’s capital Dar es Salaam, as Simba SC and Al Ahly launched the competition, the AFL has been ferociously fought on the pitch – and fanatically followed off it – by Africa’s passionate football fans.

And it’s the heart, passion and grit of Wydad and the panache and perseverance of the stylish Sundowns who have made it to the big finale after some epic quarter-final and semi-final clashes.

Having won the last six South African league titles in a row, Mamelodi Sundowns have now firmly established themselves as one of Africa’s most feared and respected teams.

Wydad in turn are African football royalty, having won 22 Moroccan league titles and three CAF Champions League title in their proud history.

Both clubs will be desperate to write their names in African football history as the first winners of the AFL and there is little to choose between them going into the final.

The tournament concludes next weekend when Mamelodi Sundowns hosts Wydad Athletic Club in the second leg of the final in South Africa’s capital of Tshwane.

A goalless draw at the Cairo International Stadium sealed Sundowns’ progression after last week’s first-leg win, setting up an intriguing all-North African title decider.

Al Ahly piled on huge pressure from the outset as Percy Tau forced a good early save before winning a penalty which Ronwen Williams saved.

The Egyptian giants quickly had the ball in the net too but Tau was denied by an offside flag after rounding the keeper.

Williams then atoned for two errors by blocking a close-range effort to keep Al Ahly at bay as Sundowns survived an early storm.

Tau clipped the bar shortly after as the hosts threatened to level the tie, but Sundowns held firm to reach their first continental final since 2016.

Sundowns relied on brilliant defending and some fortune to overcome an Al Ahly side desperate for continental glory after recent near misses.

But the South Africans showed resilience to complete the job on a tense night and etch their name into AFL folklore.

Sundowns have taken a major step towards correcting their own barren spell on the continent by exhibiting consummate game management when it mattered most.

The first-leg victory proved pivotal as Sundowns restricted Al Ahly before hitting the hosts on the counter through Thapelo Maseko last Sunday.

That precious away goal ultimately made the difference over the two legs as Sundowns clung on for a famous aggregate victory.

Now only Wydad stand between the South Africans and the $4 million prize for AFL’s inaugural champions.

A second-half thunderbolt from Thapelo Maseko sealed victory for the South Africans, who largely bossed proceedings against the Egyptian giants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The hosts dominated the early exchanges with Marcelo Allende pulling the strings in midfield, although clear chances were limited.

Maseko went closest for Sundowns when his effort was superbly denied by Mohamed El Shenawy just after the half-hour mark.

But the lively winger finally found the breakthrough in the 52nd minute, firing an unstoppable long-range strike beyond El Shenawy.

Sundowns looked comfortable until the closing stages when Percy Tau appealed in vain for a penalty after going down under a challenge.

However, the single goal was enough for Sundowns to gain a slender advantage ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in Cairo.

Coach Rhulani Mokwena will be satisfied with a performance that sets his side up nicely to progress to the inaugural AFL final.

But Al Ahly remain very much in the tie as they prepare to welcome Sundowns to their intimidating Cairo fortress.

The semi-final is finely poised.

Reigning 11-time African champions Al Ahly of Egypt, Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club, Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns have all confirmed their place in the last four of the competition, in which the champions take home a record $4 million winners prize. 

The African Football League got off to a spectacular start with a four-goal thriller in the tournament opener in Tanzania between Al Ahly and hosts Simba SC – and it’s gotten better and better since. 

Ahly got the better of Simba over two legs, Esperance beat DR Congo’s TP Mazembe, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns were too strong for Angola’s Atlético Petróleos de Luanda and Moroccan giants Wydad AC were just too strong for Nigeria’s Enyimba as they booked the last spot in the semifinals.

Semi-Final weekend: Big Four Square off: 

North African giants Wydad and Esperance face each other in a titanic semifinal battle this weekend. The two will take to the field in the first of two legs on Sunday, October 29 at the State Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, Morocco. The return fixture will be played at the Stade Olympique de Radès in Tunis on November 1.

In the other semifinal clash Mamelodi Sundowns renew what has become one of African football’s biggest rivalries against Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

The first leg will be played at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, October 29, while the return fixture will take place at the Cairo International Stadium on November 1.

The winners of the African Football League will receive prize money of $4 Million. The runner-up will get $3 Million.

The two semi-finalists will each get $1.7 Million while the quarter-finalists will each get $ 1 million.

The Footballer turned pundit was spotted in photos together with Nigeria sports presenter, Mozez Praiz and the club’s boss, Tlhopie Motsepe.

The 36-year-old, who paid a visit to the Premier Soccer League side, had the opportunity to meet the club’s chairman, some players, and the technical team.

The former Sunderland striker on Twitter revealed he was impressed with the club’s facilities after he was given a tour.

“The Brazilians were visited by two special guests, Ghana International legend Asamoah Gyan and Sports Presenter Mozez Praiz of Nigeria at training today,” the club also tweeted.

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The forward still remains Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals from 109 international appearances.

Gyan, who last featured for Legon Cities in the Ghana Premier League last season, is yet to make his decision to hang his boots or continue his football career with another club.

The South African side made history on Friday, November 19, after their 2-0 victory over the Ghanaian side to win the first-ever Women’s Champions League title in Cairo. 

After the defeat, the veteran trainer has said the ladies were exhausted with regards to the semi-finals game they played against Morocco’s ASFAR, a game they won 2-1. 

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“To be very honest, ASFAR ladies exhausted us, the Moroccans caused a lot of problems,” he told Asempa FM on the Ultimate Sports Show.

“We thought we wouldn’t have been able to advance into the next stage since our neighbours (Nigeria) were kicked out of the maiden Championship,” he disclosed.

“The ladies exerted a lot of energy, especially in the second half.

“The ladies couldn’t attend breakfast the next day due to fatigue. They slept the whole day,” he revealed.

The opening exchanges were evenly balanced with both teams enjoying periods of possession but some poor passing meant neither side could create clear-cut chances.

Sundowns came close in the seventh minute as Lerato Kgasago’s free-kick from outside the area went narrowly over the bar. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute as the front three of Sundowns combined well to get in behind the Hasaacas defence.

A first-time ball over the top from Melinda Kgadiete found Andisiwe Mgcoyi on the right-hand side and in behind the defenders, her cross was flicked in at the far post by Chuene Morifi.

The South Africans took control of the game in the second half and were rewarded in the 65th minute when Mgcoyi was on target when she got on the end of a ball from Nonhlanhla Mthandi, racing into the area ahead of Hasaacas captain Janet Egyir.

Hasaacas’ best chance came in the 76th minute with a free-kick just outside the area and directly in front of goal but Perpetual Agyekum’s fierce shot was well saved and pushed over the bar by Andile Dlamini.

As the Ghanaians pushed for a goal they were left short of numbers in defence but Sundowns were unable to take advantage and add to their tally.

Sundowns held on for the historic win despite playing the last few minutes with 10 women after Regina Magolola was shown a straight red card just moments after having come on as a substitute.

It was something of a turnaround in fortunes for the two sides with Sundowns having only scored twice en route to the final whereas Hasaacas had amassed 10 goals in their four previous games.

Before the final Mamelodi Sundowns manager, Jerry Tshabalala had said “defenders win tournaments” and he was proved correct as his side did not concede a single goal in the tournament, other than in the semi-final penalty shout-out.

Indeed his defence held firm in face of the tournament’s top scorer 19-year-old Evelyn Badu, who scored half of Hasaacas’ goals in Egypt.

On Thursday AS FAR of Morocco clinched third place with a 3-1 win over Malabo Kings from Equatorial Guinea.

Fatima Tagnaout scored early the only goal of the first half for AS FAR before Brazilian-born Carolina Martins Pereira equalised for Malabo.

On the hour mark, Malabo’s Nigerian goalkeeper Ruth Sunday made a mistake that allowed Ghizlane Chebbak to put the Moroccan club ahead. Chebbak then made certain of the win as she scored a second in injury time at the end of the match.

The South Africans have not conceded a goal in their four outings in Egypt but will have to contain a potent Hasaacas attack, with the Ghanaians scoring 10 times en route to the final.

“My team has shown that whenever we face a good side, we perform even better,” he said.

“We wanted to be here [in the final], and we did it. I’m very excited about the final game. We are ready to take the title to South Africa.

“We saw their strengths and their weaknesses, so we prepared well for them. Strikers win you games, but defenders win you tournaments,” h said.

Teenager Evelyn Badu has scored five of Hasaacas’ goals but is expecting a “very difficult game” when the sides meet in Cairo’s 30 June Stadium on Friday (17:00 GMT).

“We are very proud of ourselves for how far we have come in this tournament,” Hasaacas Ladies captain Janet Egyir told BBC Focus on Africa.

“In this competition, they are yet to concede. We know how they play and we are ready for any team.”

Meanwhile, Hasaacas coach Yussif Basigi says his side has more to give after their 2-1 win over AS FAR of Morocco in the last four.

“We are coming to win the title and there’s no turning back,” he said.

“I have faith in my goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers. You will see more variations of how the team plays.”

Sundowns needed extra time and penalties to beat Malabo Kings of Equatorial Guinea to reach the final, and Tshabalala says his side is ready to go the distance again if necessary.

“If we have to play more than 90 minutes, we are ready for this,” he said.

“We don’t want to do that though. Our players can play another 120 which tells so much about our physiotherapists.”

The Ghanaian club will play Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the final of the maiden competition.

According to her, the players have the confidence to win the championship due to the emphatic performance by the ladies throughout the tournament. She said this in an interview on Asempa Sports Night Show.

“When you watch their records, the difference between the two sides is the three goals we conceded, however, we have hope we can do it since we have been able to score more goals in this tournament,” the Asante Kotoko board member told Asempa FM.

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She continued, “Camp is cool, and we have been able to communicate with nine ladies, coach Basigi will also meet the players individually to draft a report ahead of Friday’s game.

“Friday won’t be an easy match because our opponents also topped their group in the women’s championship,” she added. 

Coach Basigi and the ladies ousted Morocco’s ASFAR 2-1 in the semi-finals.

Hasaacas Ladies had become the first side to reach the final as they beat Morocco’s AS FAR 2-1 in Monday’s opening semi-final in Cairo.

Later Mamelodi Sundowns needed penalties to overcome Malabo Kings from Equatorial Guinea as the second semi-final ended goalless after 120 minutes.

After 90 minutes of stalemate, both sides had chances to win the game in extra time, as substitute Thalea Smidt hit the bar with a long-range effort for Sundowns.

Then with the final action of the game Bambanani Mbane made a crucial tackle on Bella Rose, who had broken behind the defence and looked set for a one-on-one chance against Sundowns’ keeper Andile Dlamini.

Sundowns then had the chance to win it with their fifth penalty after Cameroonian defender Salome Nke’s effort had hit the post for the Kings but Nigerian keeper Ruth Sunday saved Chantelle Esau’s effort.

The game was won on the sixth spot-kicks as Bongiwe Thusi scored but another Cameroonian Florence Fanta fired wide for the Kings to spark the celebrations for the South African side.

Badu again

Earlier on Monday in the first of the day’s semis at Cairo’s Al-Salam Stadium saw Hasaacas take the lead after 35 minutes when Doris Boaduwaa rose highest to head down and past AS FAR keeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.

The Moroccans drew level on the stroke of half-time as Najat Badri beautifully volleyed home to convert an excellent cross from Fatima Tagnaout following fine work down the right.

Hasaacas were awarded a penalty in the 59th minute by Rwandan referee Salma Mukansanga after she had been advised to watch replays by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which African football’s ruling body Caf had introduced for both the semi-finals and final.

Mukansanga ruled that Evelyn Badu had been fouled by Er-Rmichi after the keeper failed to properly control a back-pass, but Perpetual Agyekum’s spot-kick hit the post and she was unable to react quickly enough to convert the rebound.

Hasaacas eventually scored their second in the 76th minute as Boaduwaa turned provider as her long cross was headed home by the stooping Evelyn Badu, as the 19-year-old claimed her fifth goal of the tournament.

“We feel great, this is a dream coming true for us,” Hasaacas Ladies captain and player of the match said after the game.

“When we missed the penalty, we thought something was wrong with us. But then we pushed through and won. We are looking forward to the final game, whoever they are, we are ready for them.”

AS FAR now play Malabo Kings in the third place play-off which is set for Thursday.

“We were not lucky today, but I thank the girls for their efforts and we learnt a lot from this tournament,” Abdallah Haidamu the AS FAR coach said.

“We want to win the third place medal and not go home empty handed. We will try and prepare the girls to concentrate on the next match.”