Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C.

Football club
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C.
Full nameMamelodi Sundowns Ladies Football Club
Nickname(s)The Brazilians
Banyana Ba Style
Masandawana
Downs
Ka bo Yellow
Short nameSundowns, MSFC, MSL
Founded2009; 15 years ago (2009)
GroundLoftus Versfeld Stadium
Capacity51,762
OwnerPatrice Motsepe
ChairmanTlhopie Motsepe
Head coachSouth Africa Jerry Tshabalala
LeagueSAFA Women's League
20231st
WebsiteClub website
Home colours
Away colours
Current season
Active departments of
Mamelodi Sundowns
Football (Men's) Football B (Men's)
Football (Women's) Football B (Women's) Football C (Women's)

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C. is a women's professional soccer club based in Pretoria, South Africa. The team competes in the SAFA Women's League, the top tier women's football league in South Africa.[1][2][3][4] They are the most successful women's team in South Africa with six titles. The team, together with the men's team are owned by Patrice Motsepe.

They won the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League in 2021.[5] In the qualifiers, the 2021 CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers, they won without a single loss. This sent them to the 2021 CAF Women's Champions League which they also won without a defeat and also without conceding.

In March 2024, the club appointed its first Head of Women's Football, Christa Kgamphe.[6]

History

The club was founded on 4 September 2009 by owner Patrice Motsepe and they participated in the inaugural Sasol Women's League.

In 2015, they set the Sasol League National Championship goal-scoring record when they defeated Galeshewe Ladies 25–0 at the 2015 Sasol League National Championship in Sasolburg.[7] They went on to win the national championship and lift their second title defeating Cape Town Roses 5–0 in the final.[8]

2021 season

Inaugural COSAFA Women's Champions League

CAF announced the launch of the CAF Women's Champions League with each of the six CAF regions to produce a finalist.[9] Sundowns, as the 2019-20 SAFA Women's League champions, were set to go against the other national champions in the COSAFA regional qualifiers.[3]

On 26 August 2021, the 2021 COSAFA Women's Champions League first matches took place with Sundowns playing against Lesotho Defence Force Ladies from Lesotho. They won the match 6–0. Their second match was against Double Action Ladies from Botswana with Sundowns winning 6-0 again. Their final group stage match was against Manzini Wanderers from Eswatini which ended in a 6–1 win for Sundowns.[10]

In the semi-finals, they won 1–0 against Green Buffaloes from Zambia and went on to win the tournament 3–0 against Black Rhino Queens from Zimbabwe.[11] This led to them qualifying for the first-ever CAF Women's Champions League held in Egypt.[2]

Inaugural CAF Women's Champions League

The club kicked-off their Champions League matches with a 1–0 win against Vihiga Queens from Kenya. Their next match was a 1–0 win against Rivers Angels from Nigeria and third match a 0–0 draw with AS FAR of Morocco.[12]

The semi-final match against Malabo Kings from Equatorial Guinea ended 0–0 with Sundowns winning 5–4 on penalties. They went on to win the first CAF Women's Champions League 2–0 against Hasaacas Ladies from Ghana.[5][13]

Hollywoodbets Super League 2021

They defended their title by winning the 2021 Hollywoodbets Super League which qualified them for the 2022 COSAFA Women's Champions League.[14]

2022 season

COSAFA Women's Champions League 2022

In hopes to retain the COSAFA Women's Champions League, the club started as clear favourites by scoring 8 goals against Mozambican club CD Costa do Sol winning the match 8–1 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban. The second match was against Botswana club Double Action Ladies, despite being favorites they were forced to share the spoils drawing 1-1. The club topped the group on a superior goal difference which led them to their second consecutive final.

The Zambian side Green Buffaloes held out for most of the game till extra time as the score remained 0-0, Sundowns lost on penalties against Green Buffaloes, giving them their first loss in the competition. But since they won the previous 2021 CAF Women's Champions League they qualified automatically.

Banyana Ba Style documentary

On 13 November 2022, Mamelodi Sundowns announced the launch of their documentary ahead of the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League final. The film titled Banyana Ba Style: The First Queens of African Football aired on SuperSport's channel 202.[15] In 2023, Netflix announced the documentary will be featured on its streaming site from 22 November.[5][16]

CAF Women's Champions League 2022

They finished top of Group B with nine points. They opened the tournament with a 2–1 win of Nigeria's Bayelsa Queens, proceeded to a 5–0 win over Wadi Degla of Egypt, and ended the group stages with a 4–0 over Congolese club TP Mazembe.

The semifinals were contested with Simba Queens from Tanzania, with Sundowns winning 1–0.[17] In the final with AS FAR, Sundowns lost 4-0 ending the match with nine players on the field.[18]

Hollywoodbets Super League 2022

In November, they were crowned champions of the Hollywoodbets Super League for a third year in a row and qualified for the 2023 COSAFA Women's Champions League.[19]

IFFHS ranking and CAF Women's Club of the Year award

They ended the 2022 season ranked the best women's club in Africa by IFFHS with 174 points and won the CAF Women's Club of the Year award.[20][21]

2023 season

On 13 August 2023, they faced the University of Johannesburg in the inaugural Joburg Basadi Football Challenge final were they won 1–0.[22]

COSAFA Women's Champions League 2023

On 31 August 2023, they opened their 2023 COSAFA Women's Champions League with a 8–0 win over Comoros side Olympic de Moroni.[23] Their next match was against Young Buffaloes from Eswatini which they won 4–0, and they finished off their group stages with a 4–0 victory over Mozambican side CD Costa do Sol.[24]

They met Zambian side Green Buffaloes in the semi-finals, coming from behind to win 3–1 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.[25]

In the final, against Double Actions Ladies from Botswana, they qualified for the Champions League with a 2–0 win.[26]

CAF Women's Champions League 2023

In the 2023 CAF Women's Champions League, Sundowns qualified for the knockout stages after finishing top of Group A with nine points. They won 2–0 against Tanzanian side JKT Queens,[27] 1–0 over Moroccan side Sporting Club Casablanca,[28] and 3–0 against Ivorian side Athletico D'Abidjan.[29]

They met 2022 champions AS FAR in the semi-finals of the tournament, winning 1–0 to qualify for their third successive final. In the final with Sporting Club Casablanca, Sundowns won the match 3–0 to finish the tournament without conceding a goal.[30]

Hollywoodbets Super League 2023

They won their fourth consecutive SAFA Women's League title on the 6th of December 2023.[31]

CAF Women's Club of the Year award

On 11 December 2023, they retained the CAF Women's Club of the Year award at the CAF Awards 2023 event held in Marrakech, Morocco.[32]

IFFHS ranking

The club was ranked the best women's club in Africa by IFFHS for the second year running with 238 points and tied for 19th in the Women's Club World ranking.[33]

2024 season

On 7 April 2024 the first episode of the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Show was broadcast on SABC 1. The show is hosted by sports presenter Bokamoso Jessica Nkomo, commonly known as Aunty Diski.

Players

As of November 2023

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C. squad for 2023 season.[34]

[1] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK South Africa RSA Mbali Ntimane
3 DF South Africa RSA Karabo Makhurubetshi
4 DF South Africa RSA Lebohang Ramalepe
5 MF South Africa RSA Khunjulwa Mali
6 DF South Africa RSA Salome Kekana
7 MF South Africa RSA Lehlogonolo Mashigo
8 MF South Africa RSA Chuene Morifi
9 FW Botswana BOT Refilwe Tholakele
10 FW Lesotho LES Boitumelo Rabale
11 FW South Africa RSA Melinda Kgadiete
12 DF South Africa RSA Bambanani Mbane
13 DF South Africa RSA Oratile Mokwena
14 FW South Africa RSA Miche Minnies
15 MF South Africa RSA Lerato Kgasago
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 FW South Africa RSA Lelona Daweti
17 DF South Africa RSA Khutso Pila
18 DF South Africa RSA Regina Mogolola
19 MF South Africa RSA Kholosa Biyana
21 MF South Africa RSA Nonhlanhla Mthandi
23 GK South Africa RSA Asa Rabalao
25 DF South Africa RSA Karabo Dhlamini
26 GK Botswana BOT Sedilame Boseja
27 MF South Africa RSA Malebogo Shawe
28 DF South Africa RSA Zanele Nhlapho (Captain)
30 MF South Africa RSA Tiisetso Makhubela
32 GK South Africa RSA Andile Dlamini
38 FW South Africa RSA Andisiwe Mgcoyi

Club management

Position Staff
Head Coach South Africa Jerry Tshabalala
Assistant Coach South Africa Agnes Nkosi
Goalkeeper Coach South Africa Koketso Tshabalala
Head of Women's Football South Africa Christa Kgamphe-Jane
Team Doctor South Africa Nokufa Makae
Kit Manager South Africa Nokubonga Bala

Honours

Type Competition Titles Seasons
Domestic SAFA Women's League / Sasol League National Championship 6 Champions (6): 2013, 2015, 2019-20,2021,2022,2023
Joburg Basadi Football Challenge 1 Champions (1): 2023
African CAF Women's Champions League 2 Champions (2): 2021 ,2023
Runners-up (1): 2022
COSAFA Women's Champions League 2 Champions (2): 2021 ,2023
Runners-up (1): 2022
  •   Record
  • S Shared record

Awards

  • CAF Club of the Year (Women): 2022, 2023

Statistics and records

Biggest win

Bold = championship record

SAFA Women's League statistics

  • Record number of games won in a season: 27 games (2022)
  • Record number of points in a season: 82 points (2022)
  • Record goals scored in a season: 126 goals (2022)
  • Record for lowest number of goals conceded in a season: 13 goals tied with UWC (2022)
  • Record for lowest number of defeats in a season: 1 game (2021 and 2023)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sundowns Ladies coach excited by return women's football". Daily Citizen. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Mamelodi Sundowns ladies to compete in women's caf champions". Kickoff. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Sundowns Ladies claim SNWL Title". Gsport.co.za. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Sundowns in top form ahead of regional Champions League". Cosofa.com. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Diamond, Drew (16 November 2023). "South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to release Netflix documentary". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  6. ^ Diamond, Drew (20 March 2024). "Mamelodi Sundowns appoint first ever Head of Women's Football". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Sundowns blast record-breaking 25 goals past Galeshewe Ladies". George Herald. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies win Sasol League". Daily Sun. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Caf releases maiden African Women's Champions League format | Goal.com". www.goal.com. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  10. ^ Manaleng, Palesa. "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies advance to semi-finals of CAF qualifiers". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  11. ^ "ENG, FRE, POR: Sundowns crowned winners of TotalEnergies CAF Women's Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers". 4 September 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Rivers Angels 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies - South Africans on song in Women's Champions League | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Sundowns win first ever CAF Women's Champions League final". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  14. ^ Voice, Diski (5 December 2021). "Sundowns Crowned Champions OF Hollywoodbets Super League | Diski Voice". Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns launch ladies team film". SuperSport. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  16. ^ https://www.timeslive.co.za/authors/strydom-marc. "Netflix to feature doccie on Sundowns Ladies, 'Banyana ba Style'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 16 November 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  17. ^ "Rabale fires Mamelodi Sundowns into the 2022 Caf Women's Champions League final | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  18. ^ "AS FAR stun nine-woman Mamelodi Sundowns to clinch 2022 Caf Women's Champions League title | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Final Hollywoodbets Super League Wrap". iDiski Times. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  20. ^ "All CAF Awards Winners Revealed". iDiski Times. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  21. ^ "IFFHS". www.iffhs.com. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  22. ^ Sikazwe, Millicent Nondyebo Sikazwe (13 August 2023) [13 August 2023]. "MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB SCOOP R150 000 PRIZE". Joburg.org.za. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  23. ^ Ntsoelengoe, Tshepo (31 August 2023). "Sundowns rout Olympic de Moroni in Champions League qualifier". The Citizen. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  24. ^ Kganyago, Lethabo (4 September 2023). "Downs Ladies End COSAFA Group Stages With Perfect Record". iDiski Times. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  25. ^ "CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers semi-finalists confirmed". CAF. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  26. ^ Raophala, Mauwane (8 September 2023). "Sundowns beat Double Action to qualify for CAF Champions League". FARPost. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Tshabalala pleased with Sundowns opening win in Ivory Coast". SuperSport. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  28. ^ Contributor, gsport (9 November 2023). "Mamelodi Sundowns Show CAF Champions League Pedigree in Win over Sporting Club Casablanca". gsport4girls. Retrieved 16 November 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  29. ^ "Sundowns storm semi-finals after downing Atletico d' Abidjan - Africa Top Sports". 12 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  30. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns reclaim continental glory in style". CAF. 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  31. ^ Pillay, Alicia (7 December 2023). "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Defend Hollywoodbets Super League Title". gsport4girls. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies retain Club of the Year award". CAF. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  33. ^ "IFFHS". iffhs.com. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC squad". Mamelodi Sundowns FC. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  35. ^ CentreCircle (19 October 2023). "HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE: Ruthless Sundowns Ladies show no mercy, win also for log leaders UWC". Centre Circle. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  36. ^ "EN, FR, PR: Record-breakers Mamelodi Sundowns get big win in Durban". 31 August 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  37. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies thump Wadi Degla to reach Caf Women's Champions League semi-finals | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2024.

External links

  • Official website