False start for JKT Queens in 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League

CECAFA representatives JKT Queens have made a false start in the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League.

The Tanzanian side suffered a 2-0 defeat to former champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a Group A match played at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Cote d’Ivoire yesterday.

After putting up good resistance by the debut making JKT Queens in the first half 40 minutes, the more experienced South African later side netted two second half goals.

Lebogang Ramalepe gave them the lead after 41 minutes, and Refilwe Tholakele made it 2-0 after 75 minutes.

Esther Fredy Chaburuma, the JKT Queens coach said that lack of enough experience was one of their challenges. “Sundowns capitalised on their opportunities. Experience also played a role and we made rookie mistakes, ” said Chaburuma.

JKT Queens will return to action on Wednesday against Cote d’Ivoire’s Athletico Abidjan in a match they must win if they hope to stay in contention to qualify for the knock out stage. Athletico Abdijan and Sporting Casablanca from Morocco have a point each after settling for a 1-1 draw in the first match on Sunday.

The prize money breakdown for this year’s competition according to CAF will see the winners pocket US$ 400 000, runners-up US$ 250 000, two semi-finalists US$ 200 000 each, two third placed teams US$ 150 000 each and the two fourth placed teams will take US$ 100 000 each.

JKT Queens from Tanzania are the third team from the CECAFA Zone to feature in the CAF Women’s Champions League since it started. Kenya’s Vihiga Queens played in the inuagural competition in Egypt in 2021 and fell out at the group stage, while Simba Queens (Tanzania) reached the semi final stage last year in Morocco.