The head coach of Tanzania’s JKT Queens has said playing at the CAF Women’s Champions League 2023 has been a good learning ground for her team.

Mamelodi Sundown Ladies lifted the trophy on Sunday after stopping Morocco’s SC Casablanca in the final.

JKT Queens, the CECAFA champions made their first appearance in the competition and finished third in Group A. Coach Esther Fred Chabruma’s team lost their opening match 2-0 to the experienced Mamelodi Sundowns team, and fought back to beat home side Athletico FC d’Abidjan 2-1.

In the last group match where JKT Queens had two players sent-off they lost 4-1 to SC Cassblanca.

Chabruma has made it clear that playing with the best teams in Africa has been a very good experience for his players and the officials as well. ” This was a top level competition and our players will never be the same again after this, ” said the coach.

The coach made it clear that despite failing to go to the knock out stage, they took away many lessons and will work hard to return to the tournament and perform better. ” I thank my players for the good show at the competition, ” added the coach.

Tanzania’s JKT Queens have picked their first points at the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League 2023 after a 2-1 win against home side Athletico Abidjan on Wednesday night.

The CECAFA champions who lost their opening Group A match 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) battled from a goal down to score two goals in the second half at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo.

Athletico Abidjan took the lead after 33 minutes through Sandrine Niamien after an goalkeeper error by JKT Queens goalkeeper Najiat Abass Idrisa.

The home side continued to dominate play and attack in numbers, but JKT Queens goalkeeper showed that she was fully up to the task with brilliant saves.

In the second half substitute Winifreda Gerald who was also the top scorer at the CAF schools tournament held in South Africa made it 1-1 for JKT Queens. With five minutes to full time another substitute Alia Salum netted JKT Queens second goal.

JKT Queens will now need a draw or win against SC Casablanca in their last Group A match to sail through to the semi final stage. The Moroccan team drew 1-1 against Athletico Abidjan in their opening match, but lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night.

A happy Esther Fred Chaburuma, the JKT Queens coach said she was pleased with the fighting spirit her team showed after going a goal down. ” We made some changes by bringing on quick players and that changed the game for us, ” said Chaburuma.

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.

JKT Queens FC have been placed in a tricky group ahead of the CAF Women’s Championship League slated to take place in Cote d’Ivoire.

In the draw conducted on Monday in Abidjan, the Tanzanian side has been placed alongside) South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, Sporting Casablanca (Morocco) and Atletico FC d’Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) in Group A.

Two African football legends, Fernande Tchetche of Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa’s Janine Van Wyk helped in conducting the draw ahead of the tournament which will take place November 5-19th.

JKT Queens FC who will be making their first appearance in the competition will face 2021 champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening group match.

AS FAR who are the reigning champions and making a third appearance in the competition are placed in Group B alongside Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa, Huracanes of Equatorial Guinea as well as AS Mande of Mali.

The competition which will be played in the cities of San Pedro and Korhogo will see the best two teams in each group advance to the semi final stage.

The winning team will receive US$400,000, while the runners-up take home US$250,000. The semi finalists will take US$200,000 each, the third placed teams in each group US$150,000 and the fourth placed US$100,000.

Group A: Athletico FC d’Abidjan, Sporting Casablanca, Mamelodi Sundowns, JKT Queens

Group B: AS FAR, Ampem Darkoa FC, Huracanes FC, AS Mande