Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have booked their place in the 2026 CAF Women Champions League final after delivering an impressive 4-1 victory over Kawempe Muslim Ladies in the second semi-final at the Suez Canal Stadium on Wednesday.

The South African champions will now face defending champions AS FAR of Morocco in Sunday's final, with the opportunity to add another continental trophy to their collection. Their qualification also marks their return to the final for the first time since 2023.

Ronnel Donnelly was the main attraction for Sundowns after scoring three goals to help her team secure a comfortable victory. The forward recorded her first hat-trick in the CAF Women Champions League, while also becoming the first player to achieve the feat at this year's tournament.

Head coach Godfrey Sapula made one adjustment to the team that defeated FUS Rabat 3-0 in their final group match. Lelona Daweti was handed a starting opportunity in place of Boitumelo Rabale as Sundowns looked to continue their progress in the competition.

The South African side started the match with attacking intent and immediately put pressure on the Ugandan outfit. However, they were unable to make their early opportunities count, allowing Kawempe to remain in the contest during the opening stages.

Refilwe Tholakele had an opportunity to open the scoring in the 18th minute, but her effort inside the penalty area was blocked by the opposition defence.

Sundowns also experienced a difficult moment in the 26th minute when goalkeeper Andile Dlamini failed to deal properly with a clearance and spilled the ball. The situation threatened to give Kawempe an opportunity to score, but Karabo Dhlamini reacted quickly to clear the danger off the goal line.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 37th minute when Donnelly finished an opportunity created by Asanda Hadebe to give Sundowns the lead.

The COSAFA champions continued looking for another goal, although Nonhalanhla Mthandi and Daweti both missed opportunities shortly afterwards.

Donnelly then took advantage of another opportunity created by Daweti to score her second goal of the match. She completed her hat-trick three minutes later, putting Sundowns firmly in control of the semi-final.

The South African side were not finished, as Noxolo Cesane added another goal just before half-time. The Banyana Banyana international produced a powerful left-footed finish to send her team into the break with a 4-0 advantage.

Kawempe returned for the second half hoping to find a way back into the match, but Sundowns continued to control proceedings and remained organised defensively.

Dlamini was required to make a save from a long-range effort by Agnes Nabukenya, while Kawempe captain Shakira Nyinagahirwa also tested the goalkeeper in the 61st minute.

The Ugandan side eventually found a goal in the 72nd minute when Latifah Nakasi rose to head the ball into the net, reducing the score to 4-1.

Sundowns had another opportunity to extend their lead during injury time when Tholakele struck the crossbar. Kawempe also appeared to have scored again, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review because of a foul in the build-up. Anitah Namata was subsequently shown a red card.

The final whistle confirmed Sundowns Ladies' place in Sunday's final, where they will face AS FAR in what promises to be an important contest between two sides with continental ambitions.

Sapula and his players will now turn their attention to preparing for the Moroccan champions, knowing that another victory would bring the CAF Women Champions League trophy back within their reach.

Source: IDiskiTimes