HIBAPRESS-RABAT-CAF
AS FAR completed an impressive comeback by beating TP Mazembe 3-1 in a high-intensity CAF Women's Champions League encounter at the Ben Ahmed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, yesterday Tuesday.
The Moroccan team fought back after conceding an early goal to secure three points from the Group A match, in front of their home crowd, and move to six points.
The match began with TP Mazembe taking the lead in the 11th minute, when Elena Nkuandum found the net after a VAR review, finishing a point-blank shot into the bottom corner following an assist from Merveille Kanjinga.
Mazembe's early pressure appeared to have caught Rabat's FAR off guard, and they controlled much of the early exchanges.
But the Rabat FAR recovered after the break, equalizing in the 50th minute thanks to a superb header from Doha El Madani, who headed a cross from Safa Banouk into the top corner.
The goal gave the Moroccan team a boost of confidence and, just two minutes later, Sanaâ Mssoudy put her team ahead with a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner after receiving a well-timed pass from Doha El Madani.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and in the 58th minute Mssoudy struck again, increasing AS FAR's lead to 3-1 with a clinical finish from close range, capitalizing on a cross from Zineb Erroudany.
Despite Mazembe's attempts to come back to score, including a missed penalty by Telma Baffour in the 83rd minute, they failed to break through the solid Rabat FAR defense.
FAR Rabat's strong comeback against TP Mazembe underlines their potential as serious contenders in the CAF Women's Champions League, leaving local fans hopeful for the rest of the tournament.
This result puts the hosts at the top of Group A, with Mazembe tied on 3 points with the University of the Western Cape Ladies who won their match against the De La Medina Eagles earlier in the day.
All four teams will be back in action for their final Group A matches on Friday night to determine who advances to the semi-finals.
The Aigles De La Medina face the injured Mazembe, while the UWC Ladies face an AS FAR team who already have one foot in the semi-final.
Both matches will kick off at 7:00 p.m. local time.
