The CAF Technical Study Group has confirmed the best Xl of the CAF Women’s Champions League, Cote d’Ivoire 2023, following the highly competitive and exciting group stages of the competition.
GOALKEEPER:
Andile Dlamini – Mamelodi Sundowns
Another perfect run for the Sundowns goalkeeper. The evergreen Andile Dlamini has been crucial in Mamelodi Sundowns’ 100%-win rate in the group stages which was done without conceding a single goal.
DEFENDERS
Yeboah Comfort – Ampem Darkoa
The left-footed defender has natural speed and technique. In addition to being solid at the back, the Ghanian star strikes the ball very well and poses a threat if given a chance at goal.
She also possesses great leadership skills and certainly a player for the big occasion.
Abena Anoma – Ampem Darkoa
Cool, calm and collected – those are the characteristics of Abena Anoma of Ampem Darkoa. The defenders reading of the game is unmatched, which is accompanied by her precise tackling that sees here win and intercept attacks with very little fouls committed.
Meryem Hajri – SC Casablanca
Meryem Hajri has displayed an impeccable work rate and attention to detail. Possessing great strength and height, the SC Casablanca defender is not only good in defense but can also be called up for free kicks from a distance.
Zineb Redouani – SC Casablanca
Zineb Radouani is the traditional right back. Speeds down the right wing for those crosses before quickly tracking back into position. Even though small in stature, she makes up for this with a good reading of the game and perfect timing in tackles and combining with teammates going forward.
MIDFIELDERS:
Boitumelo Joyce Rabale – Mamelodi Sundowns
A gifted footballer with great vision and always has the eye for threading passes in between tight spaces. Boitumelo Rabale also plays well in between the lines and does well to isolate herself from tight spaces to receive the ball and release to the forwards.
Rabale also strikes the ball well but also has the ability to curl it into the far post when needed.
Refilwe Tholakele – Mamelodi Sundowns
A midfielder with good physical qualities and remarkable technique, Refilwe Tholakele is capable of both recovering the ball and initiating attacks, bringing structure and balance to the midfield.
A matured player that shows a calm and composed attitude, with a great reading of the game.
Ghizlane Chebbak – AS Far
Well known for her speed, agility and clinical finishing in front of goal, Ghizlane Chebbak has certainly earned her place in this line up.
Her quick thinking and ability to eliminate opposition in tight situations sees makes her one of the best attackers in this competition.
Even though she is naturally right footed, the skilful midfielder is equally able to shoot and curl the ball with her left foot, allowing her to take set-pieces from anywhere on the field.
Fatima Tagnaout – AS Far
Fatima Tagnaout’s main asset is her speed with the ball on her feet, which makes her every defender’s worst nightmare.
Tagnaout is also quick off the mark which makes her dangerous in counter-attacks when the ball is played into space.
A hard-working attacker with an eye for goal and great passing ability.
FORWARDS:
Oumou Koné – AS Mandé
Oumou Kone is classic number 9. A strong player with a clinical finish but also great in the air. She is able to hold off defenders using her strength but also good at protecting the ball from opponents.
Despite her height, Kone can accelerate at good speed and quite good at combining with her teammates when required to be involved in inter-passing build up play.
Tracey Twum – Ampem Darkoa
Tracey Twum has been one of the revelations of this tournament. The Ghanaian is almost equally comfortable on either side of the field.
Very intelligent with the ball on her feet and a good reader of the game and her surroundings before receiving the ball. Twum also possesses explosive speed and power, making her a great asset in the Ampem Darkoa attack.
COACH:
Jerry Tshabalala
Coach Jerry Tshabalala has now made it to three CAF Women’s Champions League in succession and on all three occasions, has qualified Sundowns to the semi-finals.
An astute tactician who enjoys using the 4-4-2 and sometimes the 4-4-1-1 formation that changes during the game, Tshabalala has drilled Sundowns into one of the best women’s clubs on the continent.
A huge fan of ball retention and rotation, the Sundowns coach has certainly earned his place in this list of achievers of the group stages.
-CAF
