Representatives of host nation Egypt, Wadi Degla began their group A campaign of the maiden CAF Women’s Champions League with a 3-1 win over AS Mande of Mali at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.
The most successful club in Egyptian women’s football — with record 12 Egyptian Women Football League titles — and the 2020/21 Egyptian women league champions — 11th in a row — made the ideal start on home soil when Woman of the match, Hayam Abdelhafez was brought down inside the penalty box by Salimata Kone within just 50 seconds of play.
Wadi Degla’s, Noha Mamdouh converted the penalty to become the first player to score in the competition’s history.
In the ninth minute, Fatumata Dukureh increased the advantage for the hosts with a perfect right-footed drive into the bottom left-hand corner, but AS Mande equalized shortly after the half-hour mark through Awa Traore.
The Malians missed a good chance to equalise when Fatoumata Doumbia’s shot flew over the bar three minutes after the interval, and Wadi Degla regained their two-goal advantage a minute later. Fatumata Dukureh swung a long free-kick into the area over the goalkeeper, and Jasmin Theresa headed home from close range.
The victory puts the Egyptians on top of Group A, ahead of Ghana’s Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies and Malabo Kings of Equatorial Guinea, who will play at the same venue later in the day.
Wadi Degla will look forward to extend their lead in the table when they take on Malabo Kings on November 8.
The Group be matches of the competition will kickstart on Saturday, when Vihiga Queens of Kenya take on Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa, followed by AS FAR of Morocco taking on Rivers Angels of Nigeria.
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