Wadi Degla collected their first 3 points of the group stage, beating Mali’s AS Mande 3-1 at 30 June Stadium to go top of Group A after matchday 1, as the maiden TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League kicked off in Cairo on Friday.
The Egyptian champions took an early lead after just two minutes when Noha Mamdouh scored from the spot.
Fatumatu Dukureh doubled Wadi Degla lead, before As Mande halved the deficit at the 32nd minute, through Awa Traore.
After the break, Wadi Degla restored their two goal lead when Jassmin Theresa made it 3-1.
Degla goalkeeper Elham “Nasra” Abdelmalek made some critical saves to keep her side’s historic vicrory.
Post-Match Quotes:
HAYAM ABDELHAFEZ – Wadi Degla Midfielder (Woman of The Match)
“I’m not the best player, we are all better together. We prepared a lot, and this beginning is the result of our hard work”.
“I want to win Woman of The Match more than once.We have the same concentration for every game to only win no matter what happens and no matter how the teams play against us”.
ABDRAMANE MAIGA – AS Mande Coach
“We had a difficult match and lost three points, but we keep learning to catch our balance and find winning ways again”.
“They are a good team and better tactically. They had better chances because of fans cheering them and playing on their homeland”.
“At loss or winning, I have to talk to my team to keep their concentration. Losing the first match in group stage can be recovered but losing any matches can be very hurtful. So, we plan to focus on the next games”.
Wael El Sayed – Wadi Degla Coach
“An unexpected scenario to get first goals at the beginning. My team showed intensity and high spirit, the goal we conceded was a result of them feeling overconfident”.
“We will have psychological sessions to keep them from falling in the same mistakes in the upcoming matches”.
“We don’t put any pressure on the players, we only work on motivating them to introduce a good image of the Egyptian women’s football”.
Credit: CAF Online
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