Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies faced a tough challenge in their opening match of the 2024 Kansas Women’s Cup, losing 3-0 to KC Current at the CPKC Stadium on Thursday morning.
Coach Jerry Tshabalala fielded his strongest team, hoping to match the pace of the American side.
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For the first 20 minutes, Sundowns managed to hold their ground, absorbing the early pressure from KC Current.
The home team had their first clear chance in the 11th minute when Kristen Hamilton’s effort was dealt with by the Sundowns defence.
Just a few minutes later, Alexa Spaanstra’s powerful shot took a deflection, earning KC Current a corner, which Bayley Feist couldn’t convert.As the match progressed, KC Current’s pressure mounted.
In the 23rd minute, Spaanstra finally broke the deadlock with a stunning strike from just outside the box, giving KC Current the lead.
Sundowns had an opportunity to equalize through Boitumelo Rabale in the 36th minute, but her shot was easily saved by Almuth Schult.
KC Current doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Michele Cooper found the back of the net.
Just before halftime, Cooper assisted Vanessa Dibernardo for KC Current’s third goal.
Sundowns were spared further embarrassment as Hamilton’s would-be fourth goal was ruled offside, leaving the scoreline at 3-0 at the break.
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Sundowns made changes at the start of the second half, bringing on Nthabiseng Majiya and Lelona Daweti.
The substitutions nearly paid off, with Majiya getting a chance to score, but her effort lacked power.
Despite giving away several set-pieces, Sundowns managed to keep KC Current from extending their lead further.
The African champions had a few chances to get on the scoreboard, including a shot from Daweti in the 76th minute, but nothing found the target.
CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND 🏆@CPKCrail | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/baJgYogjjV
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) August 15, 2024
KC Current now advance to face Atletico Madrid, who defeated INAC Kobe of Japan earlier in the day, in the Cup final.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will meet the Japanese side in a consolation match on Saturday.
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