2024 CAFWCL: Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder fires strong warning to Edo Queens

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns’ opening match in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League against Egypt’s FC Masar, midfielder Kholosa Biyana has emphasized the challenges her team will face as they attempt to defend their title.

The two-time champions, who have won the tournament in 2021 and 2023, will face a tough group in this year’s competition, including three debutants.

This group features the West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) champions, as well as Nigeria’s Edo Queens, making it even more difficult for Sundowns to gauge their opponents ahead of time.

Biyana acknowledged that the lack of available footage on these new teams could pose a significant challenge for Sundowns as they prepare.

With the team having limited information on their opponents, especially the debutants, she noted that it would be a tough test for both the players and the coaching staff.

“It’s always difficult to play opponents that you haven’t seen play before,” she explained, adding that getting video footage for the coaches to analyze would be a struggle.

Despite these challenges, Biyana expressed confidence in Sundowns’ approach. She stated that the focus for the team would be on their own game, aiming to continue their dominance and defend the prestigious title.

“We always focus on ourselves and try and get a good result for our team,” she said.

Having faced Nigerian sides in the tournament before, Sundowns have experience with tight encounters. In 2021, they edged Rivers Angels 1-0 in the group stage, and in 2022, they defeated Bayelsa Queens 2-1, one of only two teams to score against Sundowns in that tournament.

Biyana, who will be playing in her second CAF Women’s Champions League, shared her excitement for the tournament, acknowledging the significance of the competition and the team’s ambition to be the first to successfully defend the title.

“It will be nice to be the first team to be able to defend the cup,” she said. “I’m hoping that we are going to do well as a team and defend the cup.”

Sundowns’ commitment to continuing their success in the CAF Women’s Champions League is clear, but they will certainly face stiff competition in their quest for a third title, especially with the unknown elements posed by their new opponents.