CAF Women’s Champions League, Cote d’Ivoire Best Xl confirmed
Following a successful CAF Women’s Champions League, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 that concluded with Mamelodi Sundowns being crowned African champions, the CAF Technical Study Group has announced the tournament’s Best XI.
From the eight participating clubs, the line-up unsurprisingly includes five Mamelodi Sundowns players who were instrumental in their side’s impressive run to winning their second CAF Women’s Champions League title.
The Best Xl also includes players from runners-up, SC Casablanca, bronze medalists AS Far as well as tournament debutants, Ampem Darkoa.
CAF Women’s Champions League, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Best Xl | 4-3-3 Formation
GOALKEEPER:
Andile Dlamini – Mamelodi Sundowns
The Mamelodi Sundowns’ last line of defense enjoyed a great tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, keeping five clean sheets across all fixtures and being a great ball distributor when required.
Dlamini was also voted the best Goalkeeper of the tournament which adds to her existing accolade of the 2022 CAF Awards Goalkeeper of the year award.
DEFENDERS:
Yeboah Comfort - Ampem Darkoa
The Ghanaian left-footed defender has natural speed and technique which drove a number of attacks down the left for Ampem Darkoa in their impressive debut.
In addition to being solid at the back, the Ghanian star strikes the ball very well and poses a threat if given a chance at goal.
Meryhem Hajri – SC Casablanca
With height, strength and a great sense of awareness, Meryhem Hajri has certainly earned her place in the Best Xl of the competition. The no-nonsense defender displayed great leadership qualities and played a critical role in SC Casablanca’s silver-medal finish as a centre back.
Zanele Nhlapho – Mamelodi Sundowns
The Mamelodi Sundowns skipper commanded respect in the Sundowns defense with a vocal leadership at centre back.
Nhlapho was very clinical in her tackles which contributed greatly in Sundowns’ five clean sheets at the tournament.
Lebohang Ramalepe – Mamelodi Sundowns
A naturally gifted attacker, Lebohang Ramalepe is equally good in defense and while going forward, always remembers her defensive duties.
One of the most skillful defenders that can also play as a midfielder, Ramalepe instigated a number of attacks from the right, coupled with clinical crosses.
MIDFIELDERS:
Adjoa Sylviane Kokrai – SC Casablanca
Adjoa Kokrai was a handful for defenders in Cote d’Ivoire. Speed, agility and skill are some of her qualities as midfielder.
A great distributor of the ball as well, with a great sense of awareness around her in the middle of the park.
Boitumelo Rabale – Mamelodi Sundowns
The Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker was voted best player of the tournament. Playing as a deep lying playmaker, Rabale has a great ability of finding herself in good spaces where she is able to eliminate defenders and get into good goalscoring opportunities.
Her goal in the final against SC Casablanca is testament of her lethal capabilities as an attacker.
Ghizlane Chebbak – AS Far
The AS Far captain has the heart of a lioness. Even with her side’s rather slow start to the competition, the skipper was consistent in leading by example with consistent top performances.
A quick thinker in tight situations with an incredible burst of pace that proved to be a challenge for her markers in Cote d’Ivoire.
FORWARDS:
Jennifer Owusuaa – Ampem Darkoa
Jennifer Owusuaa was certainly one of the shining stars for Ampem Darkoa. Despite playing in her first CAF Women’s Champions League, Owusuaa showed great courage and tenacity in taking defenders on and showing no signs of being timid.
She capped her performance with a goal in the narrow semi-final narrow to SC Casablanca to put the cherry on top for what has been an exceptional performance by the forward.
Fatima Tagnaout – AS Far
AS Far’s Fatima Tagnaout was one of the tournament’s most outstanding attackers. Despite her side not being able to retain their title, she was outstanding in her attacking play, accompanying this with a goal and creating goal scoring opportunities for her teammates.
Tholakele Refilwe – Mamelodi Sundowns
A lethal goal poacher of note, Tholakele Refilwe finished the tournament as the highest goal scorer with five goals to her name.
Refilwe possesses great strength, height and a vision for goal in tight positions. She certainly earns her place in leading the CAF Women’s Champions League Best Xl attack.
Coach – Jerry Tshabalala
Coach Jerry Tshabalala led Mamelodi Sundowns to their third CAF Women’s Champions League final in succession. He has proven to be a great reader of the game and showed great tactical acumen in how he lined up his side against the different opponents throughout the competition.
Not only is he a great coach, coach Jerry has instilled a positive spirit of gamesmanship in the team that saw Mamelodi Sundowns also being named the Fair Play Team of the tournament.