JKT Queens face off Mamelodi

IVORY COAST : THE JKT Queens, Tanzania’s representatives, launch their CAF Women’s Champions League (CAFWCL) campaign with a thrilling match against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Cote D’Ivoire today.

The two teams meet in the opening match of Group A, with each side aiming to secure a crucial win before the remaining fixtures of the competition.

This is the first time that the two teams are facing each other, and the South African representatives were the first team to win the CAFWCL title in 2021 and were runners-up in last year’s edition, which took place in Morocco.

After today’s match, the JKT Queens will face Athletico Abidjan on Wednesday in their second match, followed by Sporting Casablanca on Saturday, to complete their group stage assignments.

The JKT Queens won the CECAFA tournament to qualify for the finals and have repeatedly expressed their desire to make history by becoming the first team in the country to win the CAFWCL title.

“The squad we have this year is capable of winning the championship because it is made up of competitive players who can execute their responsibilities well,” said the club’s Information Officer, Massau Bwire, in an earlier interview.

Although the team is competing in the CAFWCL for the first time, most of their players have extensive experience playing international games, as a large number of them are featured in the national women’s football teams.

In addition to winning the CECAFA trophy, the JKT Queens also won last season women’s premier league in an impressive style, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament.

This is a significant achievement for Tanzania women’s football, as two teams have now made successive appearances in the CAFWCL finals, following Simba Queens, who finished in fourth place last year.

Efforts are needed to ensure that Tanzania makes a third appearance in the competition next year until the lucrative championship makes its way to Tanzania soil