A 1-1 draw with Senegal’s AS Dakar Sacré-Coeur on Saturday was enough to see Mali’s AS Mande clinch top spot in the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers for WAFU Zone A.
In the tournament decider played in Monrovia on Saturday, both teams finished level after an intense 90 minutes at the Samuel Kanyon For Sports Complex.
But AS Mande progressed courtesy of a superior goal difference to AS Dakar, who they beat 2-0 earlier in the week.
It means the Malian club will fly Africa’s flag at the CAF Women’s Champions League finals in Côte d’Ivoire this year.
“I’m so proud of my players for creating history and qualifying for the CAF Women’s Champions League,” said AS Mande coach Mohamed Magassouba.
In the day’s other match, Liberia’s Determine Girls defeated Sierra Leone’s Mogbwemo Queens 2-1 to claim third place overall.
Oumou Traoré of champions AS Mande took home the top scorer and player of the tournament awards after her dazzling displays.
Teammate Fatoumata Karentao was named best goalkeeper, while fair play honours went to Determine Girls.
The four-team West Africa Zone A tournament was hosted in Liberia’s capital city under the supervision of Liberia FA president Mustapha Raji who is also the WAFU Zone A Vice President.
Raji said: “Congratulations to AS Mande. We wish them the very best in the Champions League. This competition has been a major boost for women’s football development in our region.”
