AS FAR became the second team to get their hands on the CAF Women’s Champions League trophy for the second time.
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Eight of Africa’s best women’s soccer clubs got together in Egypt this month for the fifth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
This promised to be the most competitive iteration of the tournament, as two-time champion Mamelodi Sundowns could not even make it past qualifying. Among the participants, the favorites included Moroccan champions AS FAR, now the only team to have featured in every instalment of the competition, host FC Masar, and defending champion TP Mazembe of DR Congo.
The Moroccans were drawn in Group A along with the home side. They kicked off the tournament by facing off, producing a goalless draw after a tough contest. FC Masar comprehensively defeated FC 15 de Agosto of Equatorial Guinea in their second match, while AS FAR got the better of Malian side USFAS Bamako 2-0 to also set course for the knockouts. They would advance comfortably enough, but the host suffered a huge scare as they conceded 10 minutes into their final group game and only got the all-important equalizer five minutes into stoppage time.
Group B also threw up an eye-catching result on the opening day as the reigning champion suffered a one-goal defeat to Ivorian debutante ASEC Mimosas. Three-goal wins over Botswana’s Gaborone United and JKT Queens of Tanzania helped them ease into the semifinals, but it was ASEC who topped the group.
A repeat of the 2024 final was the clear standout among the two semifinal fixtures. AS FAR had gone 31 games unbeaten since their loss on the big occasion on home soil, and they were keen to keep things tight this time around. So, a cagey affair left the deadlock preserved after 90 minutes, and even the additional half an hour of extra time was not enough to produce a goal. TP Mazmebe missed their first two attempts in the penalty shootout, giving up an advantage that their rivals capitalized on in a 4-2 triumph.
Even before the second semifinal kicked off, a first-time finalist was guaranteed. FC Masar was keen to go at least one better after finishing third on debut last year, but ASEC Mimosas had clearly shown that they were going to be no pushovers. The result was yet another close contest, but this time a decisive goal did come. Essi Mathilde Dagba’s strike in the 73rd minute was enough to send the Ivorians through to the final, as Masar stumbled in the semifinal once again.
The Suez Canal Stadium in Ismaila was the venue for the final on Friday evening. AS FAR had to be considered at least slight favorites owing to their greater experience, and they made it show in the first half. An early penalty put them in front on the scoreboard, and they looked in control for the most part. However, they dropped off after the break, allowing Ami Prisca Diallo to equalize with a well-taken header. Contrary to most other big games at the tournament, this one seemed to open up more towards the end as both sides pushed for a winner. AS FAR were the ones to get it as Zineb Redouani converted a spot kick with just five minutes left on the clock, leading her side to lift a second CAF Champions League title.
Besides the continental glory, AS FAR will also get a chance to represent Africa at the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. They will face Wuhan Jiangda next month with a spot in the semifinal at stake.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/neelshelat/2025/11/21/as-far-defeats-asec-mimosas-to-reclaim-caf-womens-champions-league/
