ASFAR defeated defending champion Mamelodi Sundowns 4-0 to win the CAF Women’s Champions League for the first time on Sunday at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.
Chuene Morifi and Bambanani Mbane’s long-range tries in the fifth minute, just before Jraidi’s try, gave the Moroccan and South African giants an even start to the final replay on the same field where their national teams played in July.
In the 15th minute, Fatima Tagnaout converted a penalty when Zanele Nhlapho pushed Zineb Redouani to the ground inside the penalty area to give the hosts a lead.
Having found themselves behind for the first time in consecutive editions, the miseries of Jerry Tshabalala’s ladies were further compounded when Rhoda Mulaudzi was handed the marching order on the half-hour mark after a poor challenge on Redouani.
The hosts threatened to double their lead through Ahmamou Douha but her weak effort inside the area could not trouble keeper Andile Dlamini four minutes from the half-time break.
The Moroccans came back into the contest on a high as they almost earn their second of the match when Aziza Rabbah’s header came off the crossbar three minutes after the restart.
The South Africans were further reduced to nine players after captain Nhlapho picked her second booking of the match following a poor challenge on Redouani in the 52nd minute.
The second breakthrough came for Mohamed Amine Alioua’s ladies from the resulting freekick when Tagnaout brilliantly teed up Jraidi to power home from inside the area two minutes later.
Despite being two-player down, the South Africans pushed for a comeback through Lelona Daweti and Melinda but the duo could not make the best of their half chances.
The hosts were done yet as Jraidi fired past Dlamini to notch the third in the 87th minute before bagging the treble at the death to complete the rout in sweet revenge for the Atlas Lionesses Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title loss to Banyana Banyana in July.
Meanwhile, ASFAR forward Ibtissam Jraidi was named Woman of the Match for the third time in the competition, following her remarkable treble inspired her side to a ruthless triumph over the Cup holders.