On Sunday in Ismaila, Egypt, Moroccan outfit AS FAR achieved a 3-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns to become the historic first club to defend the Women’s African Champions League crown.
- AS FAR’s continental dominance features golden boot winner Imane Touriss and tournament MVP Ghizlane Chebbak.
- The $600,000 (£449,000) prize money injection secures vital operational revenue for AS FAR’s front office ahead of their upcoming global fixtures.
Imane Touriss put the North Africans ahead in the 23rd minute when her early shot from outside the box caught out Sundowns goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, BBC Sport reported. Refilwe Tholakele responded for the South African squad two minutes later with an impressive strike, sending a right-footed attempt from a tight angle across the face of goal and past the right post.
Seventeen-year-old right-back Hiba Youssoufi extended the advantage just before the break, netting from 12 yards out in the 37th minute after her effort took a deflection off Sundowns defender Asanda Hadebe. Following a strong right-wing buildup by Fatima Tagnaout with 13 minutes left on the clock, an open Touriss secured a 3-1 lead with a first-time, low shot from the center of the box as the Brazilians pressed forward for an equalizer.
Despite netting a hat-trick in Sundowns’ semi-final win against Kawempe Muslim Ladies, Ronnel Donnelly was effectively neutralized by the AS FAR backline. The closest the Brazilians came to finding an equalizer after the interval was a deflected shot by substitute Nthabiseng Majiya, and they failed to register a single shot on target against AS FAR goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi after falling behind by two goals.
Having suffered an unexpected opening-match defeat in the tournament against Ugandan side Kawempe Muslim Ladies, AS FAR collected $600,000 (£449,000) in prize money while becoming the tournament’s first three-time champion.
BBC Sport pointed out that the Moroccan military side builds on their 2022 triumph—where they defeated Sundowns 4-0—and their victory last year against Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas. Meanwhile, Sundowns have captured the championship twice, claiming the inaugural 2021 tournament and securing the trophy again two years later.
Individual accolades went entirely to AS FAR competitors, with Touriss claiming the golden boot for her four goals, team captain Ghizlane Chebbak honored as player of the tournament, and Er-Rmichi securing the golden glove. Next month, the Moroccan squad will square off against North Korean side Naegohyang for a berth in the semi-finals of the 2027 Fifa Women’s Champions Cup.
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