Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C.

This article is about the women's football club. For the men's football club, see Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C.
Full nameMamelodi Sundowns Ladies Football Club
Nickname(s)The Brazilians
Banyana Ba Style
Masandawana
Downs
Ka bo Yellow
Short nameSundowns, MSFC, MSL
Founded2009; 15 years ago (2009)
GroundLucas Moripe Stadium
Capacity28 900
Coordinates25°46′33.31″S 28°4′22.33″E / 25.7759194°S 28.0728694°E / -25.7759194; 28.0728694
OwnerPatrice Motsepe
ChairmanTlhopie Motsepe
Head coachSouth Africa Jerry Tshabalala
LeagueSAFA Women's League
20231st
Websitewww.sundownsfc.co.za
Current season
Active departments of
Mamelodi Sundowns
Football (Men's) Football B (Men's)
Football (Women's) Football B (Women's)

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C. is a women's professional soccer club based in Pretoria, South Africa. The team competes in the SAFA Women's League, the top tier women's football league in South Africa.[1][2][3][4] They are the most successful women's team in South Africa with seven titles. The team, together with the men's team are owned by Patrice Motsepe.

They won the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League in 2021.[5] In the qualifiers, the 2021 CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers, they won without a single loss. This sent them to the 2021 CAF Women's Champions League which they also won without a defeat and also without conceding.

In March 2024, the club appointed its first Head of Women's Football, Christa Kgamphe.[6]

History

The club was founded on 4 September 2009 by owner Patrice Motsepe and they participated in the inaugural Sasol Women's League.

Sasol League National Championship

In 2013 they won their maiden national title at the 2013 Sasol League National Championship. They won 2–0 against Limpopo's Ma-Indies Ladies in the final held in Klerksdorp.[7]

In 2015, they set the Sasol League National Championship goal-scoring record when they defeated Galeshewe Ladies 25–0 at the 2015 Sasol League National Championship in Sasolburg.[8] They went on to win the national championship and lift their second title, defeating Cape Town Roses 5–0 in the final.[9]

SAFA Women's League

Sundowns won the inaugural SAFA Women's League undefeated, 21 wins and 1 draw, and scored 83 goals while only conceding 13 goals.[10]

They defended their title by winning the 2021 SAFA Women's League which qualified them for the 2022 COSAFA Women's Champions League.[11]

They set the goal scoring record in the league when they scored 126 goals, averaging 4,2 goals per match, in the 2022 SAFA Women's League. They are the first team to score a 100 goals.[12] In November, they were crowned champions of the SAFA Women's League for a third year in a row and qualified for the 2023 COSAFA Women's Champions League.[13]

They won their fourth consecutive league title on the 6th of December 2023.[14]

They won their fifth consecutive league title on 3 November 2024 with a game to spare scoring their second 100 goal tally ending with 112 goals for the 2024 season.[15]

COSAFA Women's Champions League

CAF announced the launch of the CAF Women's Champions League with each of the six CAF regions to produce a finalist.[16] Sundowns, as the 2019-20 SAFA Women's League champions, were set to go against the other national champions in the COSAFA regional qualifiers.[3]

On 26 August 2021, the 2021 COSAFA Women's Champions League first matches took place with Sundowns playing against Lesotho Defence Force Ladies from Lesotho. They won their first match 6–0. Their second match was against Double Action Ladies from Botswana with Sundowns again winning 6–0. Their final group stage match was against Manzini Wanderers from Eswatini which ended in a 6–1 win for Sundowns.[17] In the semi-finals, they won 1–0 against Green Buffaloes from Zambia and went on to win the tournament 3–0 against Black Rhino Queens from Zimbabwe.[18] This led to them qualifying for the first-ever CAF Women's Champions League held in Egypt.[2]

In hopes to retain the COSAFA Women's Champions League, the club started as clear favourites by scoring 8 goals against Mozambican club CD Costa do Sol winning the match 8–1 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban. The second match was against Botswana club Double Action Ladies, despite being favorites they were forced to share the spoils drawing 1-1. The club topped the group on a superior goal difference which led them to their second consecutive final. The Zambian side Green Buffaloes held out for most of the game till extra time as the score remained 0-0, Sundowns lost on penalties against Green Buffaloes, giving them their first loss in the competition. But since they won the previous 2021 CAF Women's Champions League they qualified automatically to the next edition.

On 31 August 2023, they opened their 2023 COSAFA Women's Champions League with a 8–0 win over Comoros side Olympic de Moroni.[19] Their next match was against Young Buffaloes from Eswatini which they won 4–0, and they finished off their group stages with a 4–0 victory over Mozambican side CD Costa do Sol.[20] They met Zambian side Green Buffaloes in the semi-finals, coming from behind to win 3–1 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.[21] In the final, against Double Actions Ladies from Botswana, they qualified for the 2023 Champions League with a 2–0 win.[22]

CAF Women's Champions League

The club kicked-off their Champions League matches with a 1–0 win against Vihiga Queens from Kenya. Their next match was again a 1–0 win against Rivers Angels from Nigeria and third match a goalless draw against AS FAR of Morocco.[23] The semi-final match against Malabo Kings from Equatorial Guinea ended goalless with Sundowns winning 5–4 on penalties. They went on to win the first CAF Women's Champions League 2–0 against Hasaacas Ladies from Ghana.[5][24]

In 2022, they opened the tournament with a 2–1 win of Nigeria's Bayelsa Queens, proceeded to a 5–0 win over Wadi Degla of Egypt, and ended the group stages with a 4–0 over Congolese club TP Mazembe and finished top of Group B with nine points. The semifinals were contested with Simba Queens from Tanzania, with Sundowns winning 1–0.[25] In the final with AS FAR, Sundowns lost 4–0 ending the match with nine players on the field.[26]

In the 2023 CAF Women's Champions League, Sundowns qualified for the knockout stages after finishing top of Group A with nine points. They won 2–0 against Tanzanian side JKT Queens,[27] 1–0 over Moroccan side Sporting Club Casablanca,[28] and 3–0 against Ivorian side Athletico D'Abidjan.[29] They met 2022 champions AS FAR in the semi-finals of the tournament, winning 1–0 to qualify for their third successive final. In the final with Sporting Club Casablanca, Sundowns won the match 3–0 to finish the tournament without conceding a goal.[30]

In the 2024 CAF Women's Champions League, Sundowns recorded their worst performance to date starting with a 1–0 loss to Egyptian debutants FC Masar. They won their second match 4–0 against CBE from Ethiopia. They crashed out of the group stages for the first time when they lost 2–1 to Edo Queens from Nigeria finishing third in their group and in fifth place overall.[31]

IFFHS ranking

They ended the 2022 season ranked the best women's club in Africa by IFFHS with 174 points.[32]

The club was ranked the best women's club in Africa by IFFHS for the second year running in 2023 with 238 points and tied for 19th in the Women's Club World ranking.[33]

CAF Women's Club of the Year award

At the 2022 CAF awards they won the inaugural CAF Women's Club of the Year award.[34]

On 11 December 2023, they retained the CAF Women's Club of the Year award at the CAF Awards 2023 event held in Marrakech, Morocco.[35]

Joburg Basadi Football Challenge

On 13 August 2023, they faced the University of Johannesburg in the inaugural Joburg Basadi Football Challenge final where they won 1–0.[36]

The Women's Cup

On 10 May 2024, it was announced the club had been invited to take part in the 2024 version of The Women's Cup scheduled for August.[37] On 15 August 2024, they played their first match with Kansas City Current from the USA and lost the match 3-0.[38] They lost their second match of the tournament 2-0 against INAC Kobe from Japan.[39]

Media

Mamelodi Sundowns magazine

In September 2021 the club launched the first edition of its quarterly magazine. The December 2021 edition, titled Banyana ba Style Queens of the Continent covered their maiden CAF Women's Champions League win.[40] The cover featured Sundowns Ladies captain Zanele Nhlapho and players Bambanani Mbane, Chuene Morifi, Thalea Smidt, and Andisiwe Mgcoyi.

Banyana Ba Style documentary

On 13 November 2022, Mamelodi Sundowns announced the launch of their documentary ahead of the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League final. The film titled Banyana Ba Style: The First Queens of African Football aired on SuperSport's channel 202.[41] In 2023, Netflix announced the documentary will be featured on its streaming site from 22 November.[5][42]

Sundowns Ladies TV

On 7 April 2024 the first episode of the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Show was broadcast on SABC 1. The show is hosted by sports presenter Bokamoso Jessica Nkomo, commonly known as Aunty Diski.

Players

See also: Category:Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C. players
As of April 2024

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies F.C. squad for 2024 season.[43]

[1] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK South Africa RSA Mbali Ntimane
3 DF South Africa RSA Karabo Makhurubetshi (Vice Captain)
4 DF South Africa RSA Lebohang Ramalepe
5 MF South Africa RSA Khunjulwa Mali
6 DF South Africa RSA Salome Kekana
7 MF South Africa RSA Lehlogonolo Mashigo
8 MF South Africa RSA Chuene Morifi
9 FW Botswana BOT Refilwe Tholakele
10 FW Lesotho LES Boitumelo Rabale
11 FW South Africa RSA Melinda Kgadiete
12 DF South Africa RSA Bambanani Mbane
13 DF South Africa RSA Oratile Mokwena
14 FW South Africa RSA Miche Minnies
15 MF South Africa RSA Lerato Kgasago
16 FW South Africa RSA Rhoda Mulaudzi
17 MF South Africa RSA Cimone Sauls
18 DF South Africa RSA Tiisetso Letsoso
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW South Africa RSA Lelona Daweti
20 DF South Africa RSA Khutso Pila
21 DF South Africa RSA Regina Mogolola (Vice Captain)
22 MF South Africa RSA Kholosa Biyana
23 MF South Africa RSA Nonhlanhla Mthandi
24 GK South Africa RSA Asa Rabalao
25 DF South Africa RSA Karabo Dhlamini
26 GK Botswana BOT Sedilame Boseja
27 MF South Africa RSA Malebogo Shawe
28 DF South Africa RSA Zanele Nhlapho (Captain)
29 MF South Africa RSA Tiisetso Makhubela
30 GK South Africa RSA Andile Dlamini
31 FW South Africa RSA Andisiwe Mgcoyi
32 DF South Africa RSA Asanda Hadebe
33 FW South Africa RSA Nthabiseng Majiya

Technical team

Position Staff
Head Coach South Africa Jerry Tshabalala
Assistant Coach South Africa Agnes Nkosi
Goalkeeper Coach South Africa Koketso Tshabalala
Head of Football South Africa Christa Kgamphe-Jane
Team Doctor South Africa Nokufa Makae
Kit Manager South Africa Nokubonga Bala
Administrator South Africa Dipuo Maboe

Kit suppliers and sponsors

Same sponsors as the men's team

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Sleeve sponsor
2014–2016 United States Nike South Africa Ubuntu-Botho Investments
2016–present Germany Puma[44] South Korea Hyundai[45]

Notable players

FIFA World Cup participants

List of players that were called up for a FIFA Women's World Cup while playing for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. In brackets, the tournament played:

Summer Olympics participants

List of players that were called up for the Summer Olympic Games while playing for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. In brackets, the tournament played:

Honours

Type Competition Titles Seasons
Domestic SAFA Women's League / Sasol League National Championship 7 Champions (7): 2013, 2015, 2019-20, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
African CAF Women's Champions League 2 Champions (2): 2021, 2023
Runners-up (1): 2022
COSAFA Women's Champions League 2 Champions (2): 2021, 2023
Runners-up (1): 2022
  •   Record
  • S Shared record

Awards

Club records

Type Nat Name Record
Most Trophies Won - Coach South Africa Jerry Tshabalala 12
League victory South Africa vs Thunderbirds Ladies 13–0 (2024 SAFA Women's League)[46]
COSAFA victory Comoros vs Olympic de Moroni 8–0 (2023 COSAFA Women's Champions League)[47]
Record victory South Africa vs Galeshewe Ladies 25–0 (2015 Sasol League National Championship)[48]
CAF victory Egypt vs Wadi Degla 5–0 (2022 CAF Women's Champions League)[49]
Record defeat Morocco vs AS FAR 4–0 (2022 CAF Women's Champions League)[26]

CAF Women's Champions League record

Season Pos Record
P W D L F A GD
2021 Champions 5 3 2 0 4 0 4
2022 Runners up 5 4 0 1 12 5 7
2023 Champions 5 5 0 0 10 0 10
2024 5th place 3 1 0 2 5 3 2

SAFA Women's League record

Season Pos Record
P W D L F A GD Pst
2019-20 Champions 22 21 1 0 83 13 70 64
2021 Champions 26 24 1 1 87 14 73 73
2022 Champions 30 27 1 2 126 13 113 82
2023 Champions 29 25 3 1 95 15 80 78
2024 Champions 29 26 2 1 112 12 100 80
  • Orange = In progress
  • Gold = Champions
  • Silver = Runner up

SAFA Women's League statistics

  • Record number of games won in a season: 27 games (2022)
  • Record number of points in a season: 82 points (2022)
  • Record goals scored in a season: 126 goals (2022)
  • Record for lowest number of goals conceded in a season: 13 goals tied with UWC (2022)
  • Record for lowest number of defeats in a season: no games lost (2019–20)


See also

References

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  2. ^ a b "Mamelodi Sundowns ladies to compete in women's caf champions". Kickoff. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Sundowns Ladies claim SNWL Title". Gsport.co.za. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Sundowns in top form ahead of regional Champions League". Cosofa.com. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Diamond, Drew (16 November 2023). "South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to release Netflix documentary". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  6. ^ Diamond, Drew (20 March 2024). "Mamelodi Sundowns appoint first ever Head of Women's Football". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
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  8. ^ "Sundowns blast record-breaking 25 goals past Galeshewe Ladies". George Herald. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
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  10. ^ Laduma, Soccer. "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Crowned Champions Of SAFA's National Women's League". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
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  12. ^ Writer, FARPost (20 October 2022). "HISTORIC: Sundowns Ladies hit 100-goal mark". FARPost. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
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  19. ^ Ntsoelengoe, Tshepo (31 August 2023). "Sundowns rout Olympic de Moroni in Champions League qualifier". The Citizen. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
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  26. ^ a b "AS FAR stun nine-woman Mamelodi Sundowns to clinch 2022 Caf Women's Champions League title | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Tshabalala pleased with Sundowns opening win in Ivory Coast". SuperSport. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  28. ^ Contributor, gsport (9 November 2023). "Mamelodi Sundowns Show CAF Champions League Pedigree in Win over Sporting Club Casablanca". gsport4girls. Retrieved 16 November 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  29. ^ "Sundowns storm semi-finals after downing Atletico d' Abidjan - Africa Top Sports". 12 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  30. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns reclaim continental glory in style". CAF. 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
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  32. ^ "IFFHS". www.iffhs.com. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  33. ^ "IFFHS". iffhs.com. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  34. ^ "All CAF Awards Winners Revealed". iDiski Times. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  35. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies retain Club of the Year award". CAF. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
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  43. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC squad". Mamelodi Sundowns FC. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  44. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns sign lucrative long-term deal with Puma". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
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  48. ^ "EN, FR, PR: Record-breakers Mamelodi Sundowns get big win in Durban". 31 August 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  49. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies thump Wadi Degla to reach Caf Women's Champions League semi-finals | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2024.