Mamelodi Sundowns opened their CAF Women’s Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over Vihiga Queens in a Group B match played at Al Salaam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.
It took only three minutes for Downs to get the opening goal courtesy of Melinda Kgadiete when she loped past advancing Vihiga Queens custodian Lilian Awuor.
Queens attempted to catch Downs off guard after the going down through a mistimed ball that landed at the feet of Tereza Engesha, who wasn’t able to punish the visitors.
Another sight to goal presented itself to a certain Engesha right after the half-hour mark, but the diminutive striker again failed to trouble Sundowns goalkeeper Phillistus Labalao.
Sundowns started to create more of the chances and Regina Mogolola squandered his chance in the 35th minute when he volleyed just wide from a tight angle.
Queens had the best chance of the half in the 39th minute when Jentrix Milimu rattled the upright with a fine glancing header.
Milimu then squandered a glorious chance shortly after the halftime break, when she placed his effort wide of the upright from six-yards out, after being teed up by Phoeby Owiti.
Lilian Awuor had to be at his best in the 62nd minute, as she pulled off a superb save to keep out Chuene Morifi’s powerful free-kick.
Janet Bundi came to Queens’ rescue just a minute later, as she coming rushing across the defence line to deny Morifi.
The Kenyan side squandered a chance of their own in the 68th minute when Joan Nabirye fed a pass for Owiti , who ended up dragging his effort wide of the mark from close range.
Substitute Lelona Daweti had the chance to bury the game 10 minutes remaining but the Sundowns defender headed over the crossbar from close range.
The South Africans champions managed the rest of the encounter successfully well to start their Group B campaign on a winning note.
