CAF WCL: Buffaloes eye a strong start to their campaign
COSAFA Champions, Green Buffaloes Women’s Champions will this evening start their CAF Women’s Champions League campaign as they square off with Determine Girls of Liberia.
The Zambian side booked their place at the tournament in Morocco after winning the COSAFA Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers.
In qualifying for the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League Determine girls faced Malian side AS Mandé who had defeated them in qualifying for the 2021 edition in their first game, they match ended 1-1. AS Mandé then drew their second game 1-1 against Senegalese team USPA, before Determine Girls defeated the Senegalese team 1-0 in their final game to seal qualification, Bountou Sylla scoring the game’s only goal.
Double champions of the Liberian Women’s First division winning the title in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Guinean international Bountou Sylla scored 53 goals in the 2021/22 league season, for Determine Girls overtaking the previous mark set by Angeline Kieh who had scored 43 goals.
The team have been in camp since the middle of October utilising the George Weah Centre in Monrovia as their base ahead of the competition. Won 17 games in the 2021-22 season, losing just once over their 18 games.
Scored 119 goals in their 18 games in the league last season conceding just 20, they scored an average of 6,61 goals per game. They ended the season with a goal difference of plus 99.
Coach Charles Haalubono will be wary of the challenge the West African side pose to his side.
Haalubono says the preparations for this tournament and the opening game were adequate.
“The Preparations were okay, We have done everything needed for the game,” he said.
“We have been working on our defense and starting counter attacks. Our strength will be on keeping our shape and being very quick in transition.”
Meanwhile Skipper Joana Benaya says the Morale in camp is high ahead of the game against Determine Girls.
“I expect the game to be tough. We will fight hard in all the games. The morale is high in camp,” she said.
Goalkeeper Aisha Mbwana says the team are eying maximum points in the opening match.
“We are excited to play our first game on Sunday. I believe we will do our best. Our target is to collect maximum points,” Mbwana said.
“I believe through team work I will continue doing well. As a goalkeeper I believe I can’t keep clean sheets without a collective performance.”
“Our overall target is to see the team lift the trophy like we did in South Africa but that will depend on how we perform in the group stage,” she added.
Buffaloes will look to Ireen Lungu, the female Computer for inspiration as she continues to move from strength to strength in 2022.
Lungu was the team’s and the tournament top goalscorer at the COSAFA Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers with five goals and is expected to again be vital for the Zambia army sponsored outfit.
Aisha Mbwana is expected to start between the sticks ahead of Aisha Gama and Memory Namonje with Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, Martha Tembo, and Maylan Mulenga making up the back four.
Lungu could be joined by Judith Zulu and skipper Joana Benaya in midfield. Maweta Chilenga and Diana Banda will also look to state their case and force their way into the starting line up.
In attack Hellen Chanda, and Natasha Nanyangwe could be joined by either Memory Nthala, Theresa Chewe, Jessy Zulu or Lilian Mwaba.
Kick off at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat is set for 18:00 Central African time and the match will be live both on Topstar and Supersport.