Democratic Republic of Congo’s Tout Puissant Mazembe (TP Mazembe) etched their name in history as they clinched the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League title, defeating hosts AS FAR 1-0 in a thrilling final at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi, El Jadida, Morocco, over the weekend.
The lone goal of the match came from a penalty coolly converted by Marlene Kasaj in the 10th minute. Mazembe displayed remarkable resilience, fending off relentless attacks from the defending champions and silencing the home crowd to emerge as the new queens of African club football.
“We knew the challenge of facing a strong AS FAR team at home, but the players showed great discipline and belief to achieve this historic win,” said Mazembe head coach Lamia Boumehdi, who made history herself as the first female coach to lead a team to CAF Women’s Champions League glory.
Despite relentless pressure from AS FAR throughout the match, Mazembe’s defence remained unyielding. The Congolese team grew more confident in the second half, creating dangerous counterattacks while maintaining their composure against the hosts’ late surges.
In the third-place playoff, Egypt’s FC Masar defeated Nigeria’s Edo Queens 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw, securing a podium finish in the tournament.
This victory makes TP Mazembe the first team from Central Africa to win the CAF Women’s Champions League, joining AS FAR and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in an elite club of teams whose men’s and women’s sides have both won the prestigious CAF Champions League titles.
Mazembe’s triumph also breaks new ground for Central African women’s football, inspiring aspirations for teams across the region. The team’s success underscores their determination and sets a benchmark for future tournaments.
