Julius OkorieHard fighting Democratic Republic of Congo side, TP Mazembe disarmed hosts AS FAR of Morocco to emerge champions as curtain fell on the 2024 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League on Saturday.
The encounter lived up to prediction that would be winner will require quantum of wits and tactical discipline to carry the day.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA hard fought 1-0 victory was all that was required by the Congolese to silence former hosts and former champions AS FAR at the El Jadida’s Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi. Aside from emerging champions for the first time, the victory also compensates the Congo side for their group stage ouster at the 2022 edition.
Despite playing in front of a vociferous home crowd that was apparently rooting for AS FAR, Mazembe showed great resilience and courage in taking the match to the former champions who remain in search for what has been an elusive second title for them.
The deciding goal of the fourth edition of the tournament came courtesy of a converted spot kick by Marlene Kasaj in the opening 10 minutes, which Mazembe guarded jealously throughout the match to seal the historic victory.
AS FAR did not fold hands to watch Mazembe run away with victory but fought tooth and nail but met brick wall in a disciplined Mazembe defense, who kept the former champions at bay to secure Africa’s most sought-after women’s club football crown.
READ ALSO :CAF Women’s C/League: Edo Queens Lose 3rd Place Match, Pocket N510million
For their fight to the finish effort, which resulted in victory, TP Mazembe claimed the prestigious trophy and the $600 000 in prize money. It was not a bad market for runners up AS FAR as they also took home $400 000.
Recall that FC Masar of Egypt won the third place match in nail biting encounter that ended in penalty shoot-out against Nigeria’s Edo Queens on Friday pocketing $350,000 while Edo Queens who failed in their quest to re-enact achievement of Bayelsa Queens by winning the third place match, got $300,000 for their efforts.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
