Moroccan club AS FAR have etched their name in the record books as the first team to retain the Women’s African Champions League, securing a hard-earned 3-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
Imane Touriss opened the scoring for the North African side in the 23rd minute in Ismailia, Egypt, catching Sundowns goalkeeper Andile Dlamini off her line with an early strike from outside the penalty area.
The South African side responded within two minutes as Refilwe Tholakele produced a superb finish, angling a right-footed effort from a tight position across the goalkeeper and in off the far post.
AS FAR reclaimed the lead eight minutes before the break through 17-year-old right-back Hiba Youssoufi, whose strike from around 12 yards took a deflection off Sundowns defender Asanda Hadebe.
With Sundowns pressing for an equaliser, an unmarked Touriss sealed the result with 13 minutes to play, converting first time from the heart of the box following enterprising work down the right by Fatima Tagnaout.
Ronnel Donnelly, who had netted a hat-trick for Sundowns in their semi-final win over Kawempe Muslim Ladies, found little room to operate against a disciplined AS FAR backline.
Substitute Nthabiseng Majiya came closest to pulling one back for Sundowns in the second half with an attempt that was deflected wide, while the Brazilians offered little further threat to AS FAR keeper Khadija Er-Rmichi after falling two goals behind.
Having surprisingly opened their campaign with a defeat to Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies, AS FAR became the first side to claim a third Women’s African Champions League crown, collecting $600,000 (£449,000) in prize money.
The team, representing Morocco’s armed forces, add this triumph to their 2022 success over Sundowns, a 4-0 win, and last season’s victory against Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas.
Sundowns have lifted the title twice of their own accord, claiming the inaugural edition in 2021 before going on to win again two years later.
AS FAR players dominated the individual honours, with Touriss taking the golden boot after scoring four goals, captain Ghizlane Chebbak named player of the tournament, and Er-Rmichi awarded the golden glove.
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