Kawempe Muslim’s fairytale at the CAF Women’s Champions League agonisingly came to an end on Wednesday after suffering defeat to two-time winners Mamelodi Sundowns.
In the game played at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, Sundowns proved too strong for the Valley Warriors, winning the semifinal contest 4-1 to storm the final.
Kawempe Muslim arrived at the semifinal with a remarkable story that had seen them defy odds on their debut.
However, in Mamelodi Sundowns, they found a different monster from what they had experienced so far at the tournament.
The South African outfit was dominant right from the onset and kept piling pressure on Kawempe Muslim, who eventually gave way as the game progressed.
Ronnel Donnelly produced a first-half masterclass, scoring a hat-trick before Noxolo Cesane added another as Mamelodi Sundowns went into the mandatory break in a 4-0 lead.
Kawempe Muslim pulled one back in the second half through Latifa Nakasi, but the damage had already been done.
She had gotten her second deep into stoppage time, but it was chopped off after VAR intervention with substitute Anita Namata fouling in the move before the goal.
Namata was eventually shown a second yellow card and was sent off, and Kawempe ended the game with ten players.
The result means Mamelodi Sundowns will contend for the title on Sunday against reigning Champions AS FAR of Morocco, who defeated Lekie in the other semifinal.
Kawempe Muslim will now shift focus to the third place-playoff against Lekie on Saturday.
