ACTION AT THE DOUBLE
Local ladies thrill in Mzansi
Local powerhouses, Double Action, have more than made up for lost time, marking their return to action in thrilling style at the ongoing Totalenergies CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Durban, South Africa.
In qualifying for Thursday’s semifinals, where Zimbabwe’s Black Rhino
Queens await, the local ladies enjoyed high ups and a massive down, with goals aplenty in their three-group games.
Despite not playing a competitive match in over 18 months, Double Action showed no signs of rustiness, starting their campaign with a straight forward 3-0 victory over Manzini Wanderers.
The Gaborone-based outfit came crashing back down to earth in their next match, given a painful reality check as they were hammered 6-0 by eventual group winners, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Undaunted, they then handed out the same punishment to Lesotho Defence Force, smashing home six unanswered goals to set up a royal showdown with the undefeated Queens.
The Zimbabweans are yet to concede in the tournament and topped their three-team group courtesy of a 2-0 and then a 3-0 win.
In a brief interview with Voice Sport ahead of Thursday’s (2 August) 11am kick-off, Double Action Coach, Oupa Kowa, admitted his troops were up against a formidable foe in their northern neighbours.
“They are a very good side. I watched their games and their play is similar to Manzini’s, so my girls know what to expect. We worked on taking set pieces and defending better following the 6-0 loss against Sundowns and I believe we are ready. In terms of going forward and ball possession, my team is good. I remain optimistic that we will go to the finals,” predicted Kowa, who is also Notwane men’s team coach.
To add to the coach’s confidence, he has a full strength squad to pick from for the first time since the tournament started.
“All the players are available for selection. Eight of them had minor injuries because football has been suspended in Botswana for about 17 months now but they have recovered. Kgomotso Molefe (Centre Back) had a head injury thus was rested during our last game and she is back training,” revealed Kowa, who was only appointed to the Double Action top post last month.
Kowa and co. will be desperately hoping 22-year-old midfield maestro, Lesego Radiakanyo, can continue her red hot form in front of goal and fire them into the final.
With three strikes to her name already, Radiakanyo is in the mix to claim the golden boot, with only Sundowns duo, Melinda Kgadiete and Andisiwe Mqcoyi, both on four, having scored more goals than her.
The pair also have a chance to add to their tally as they take on Zambian side, Green Buffaloes, in the second semi-final.
Personal glory, however, pales in significance to the main prize, a place in Saturday’s showpiece final, where the winner will proceed to the CAF Champions League in Cairo, Egypt, to take on the best that Africa has to offer later this year.