Following their 3-1 loss against Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final round today, Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club missed an opportunity to defend their COSAFA Club Championship title.
It was a rematch of the final from the previous year, which took place at the Sugar Ray Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
Mamelodi Sundowns were seeking to avenge last year’s loss when Green Buffaloes emerged victorious via post-match penalties after the two side drew 1 all in regulation time to bag the regional title.
The Zambian champions were first to score through striker, Meylan Mulenga. It took Sundowns until the 32nd minute to find the equalizer through Zenele Nhlapo who scored with a brilliant header from the corner kick.
Following a skillfully executed attack in the 60th minute of the second half, Sundowns increased their advantage to 2-1.
The Nyanta girls then tried to score an equalizer, but they were doomed to lose when Tiisetso Makhubela converted a penalty kick for Sundowns to score their third goal and defeat Buffaloes in the 88th minute.
Buffaloes will focus on a third-and-fourth-place encounter against Mozambique’s Costa Dol Sol, who fell to Botswana’s Double Action Ladies 2-0, since they will no longer be able to compete for CAF qualifying.
READ ALSO: Mamelodi Sundowns and Green Buffaloes renew rivalry
When Mamelodi Sundowns play Double Action Ladies, who will fancy their chances on two fronts, they will be vying for their second regional championship as well as a spot in the CAF women’s Champions league.
The team that prevails in this matchup will represent Southern Africa in the CAF Champions League, which will take place in Ivory Coast later this year.
