CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers WAFU A: USFAS, AS Bolonta off to winning starts

The CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers for WAFU A got underway in The Gambia on Monday, 25 August, with two Group A and Group B matches played at the refurbished Independence Stadium in Bakau.

The opening day produced contrasting victories, with Mali’s USFAS Bamako edging Aigles de Medina of Senegal 1-0 before Guinean champions AS Bolonta defeated Gambian champions Berewuleng 2-0.
In the opening Group A encounter, USFAS Bamako secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Senegal’s Aigles de Medina. After a closely contested opening period, the Malian champions were awarded a penalty two minutes before half-time. Oumou Kone showed composure from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give USFAS the lead just before the break.

Aigles de Medina responded positively after the interval and pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but USFAS Bamako remained organised and disciplined at the back. The Senegalese side created pressure but could not find a way through a resolute Malian defence, as USFAS held on to claim all three points and begin their campaign with a narrow victory.

Kone’s decisive contribution earned her the Woman of the Match award, capping an impressive individual display for the USFAS forward. Her calmly converted penalty ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides in a match where both teams battled for control and territory.

The second fixture saw Gambian champions Berewuleng face Guinea’s AS Bolonta in Group B. The first half ended goalless, although both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock. Berewuleng threatened through Abie Sambou and Sarah Jarju, while AS Bolonta came close through Mariam Soumah, Aissatou Diallo and Maman Sata Fancinadouno, but neither team could find the finishing touch.

AS Bolonta came out with greater urgency after the restart and broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half. Kadidjatou Imorou delivered a dangerous set piece into the box, which Berewuleng goalkeeper Diminga Mendy failed to hold, allowing Mariama Soumah to react quickest and head the ball into an unguarded net in the 47th minute.

Berewuleng went in search of a response, with Jarju coming close but firing wide. The Guinean champions then put the result beyond doubt in the 64th minute when Fancinadouno produced a moment of individual brilliance, curling a corner from the right side of the attack directly into the Berewuleng goal. The forward’s spectacular effort secured a 2-0 victory for AS Bolonta and earned her the Woman of the Match award.