CAF Women’s Champions League debutants, UWC looking to make a mark on the continent

CAF Women’s Champions League debutants, University of Western Cape are looking at carving their way to making a mark in continental football, as they prepare to take on the best teams on the continent in the CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 this month.

The University side join fellow South African club, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC in the fourth edition set to take place in the North African nation between 09 – 23 November, where they will be looking to follow in the footsteps impressively set out by the reigning champions.

CAFOnline takes a look at UWC’s journey to the finals and some of their attributes.

How they qualified:  

UWC, who also make history as the first University side to qualify for the finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League qualified after winning the COSAFA Qualifiers on first attempt in Namibia.

Despite going down to Green Buffaloes in the opening match, they showed character in their other group matches and semi-finals to eventually seal a place in the finals where they had to overcome a stubborn Gaborone United with a 9-8 penalty scoreline, following a 1-1 stalemate.

Key Player: Siphesihle Dlamini

The talented squad boasts a number of skilful players that have the potential of hurting any team at the finals.

In addition to the in-field players, the side is fortunate to have the acrobatic Siphesihle Dlamini in goals who was instrumental in the team’s qualification to the continental showpiece.

Dlamini displayed remarkable composure, especially during the penalty shootout in the finals where she made crucial saves that helped her team to win the title. Her role as a goalkeeper is not only limited to the field, but she is also an inspiring leader for her teammates, bringing valuable confidence to the team.

The coach: Thinasonke Mbuli

While this will be the University side’s first participation at the CAF Women’s Champions League, international football will not be an entirely new experience for coach Thinasonke Mbuli.

Mbuli is assistant to reigning CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, Desiree Ellis and was part of the technical team that masterminded a maiden TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations gold medal for Banyana Banyana in Morocco two years ago.

Highly respected in South Africa as one of the most promising women’s football tacticians, Mbuli not only has passion for developing future Banyana Banyana stars, but always makes it a priority that her players put as much attention into their academics as they do in football.

CAF Women’s Champions League History:

2024: First participation