USFAS Bamako came from behind to defeat 15 de Agosto 2-1, while FC Masar held AS FAR to a 0-0 draw on the opening day of the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt. The matches kicked off the fifth edition of the tournament, hosted across Cairo and Ismailia. Both results provide strong starts for the Malian and Egyptian sides in Group A.
The CAF Women’s Champions League 2025 began on November 8 at the Right to Dream Stadium in Cairo, where USFAS Bamako faced Equatorial Guinea’s 15 de Agosto. Trailing 1-0 at halftime after Ana María Nchama’s goal in the 42nd minute, USFAS showed resilience. Maimouna Traoré drove the equalizer via a 69th-minute penalty, and Awa Diarra sealed the 2-1 victory with a powerful strike from the edge of the box in the 82nd minute.
In the second opening fixture at Ismailia, FC Masar hosted 2022 champions AS FAR. Goalkeeper Habiba Sabry starred in a defensive masterclass, securing a valuable 0-0 draw. AS FAR dominated possession and created chances, including Doha El Madani’s half-volley tipped over the bar and a 71st-minute breakaway blocked by Sabry. Mssoudy’s powerful effort also narrowly missed, but Masar’s compact defense held firm through tense closing stages.
15 de Agosto coach Barthelemy Bloade reflected on the loss: “We still have two games left. We still have our chances. We didn’t play our usual game. The players didn’t follow the instructions, but we’ll fix that.” USFAS coach Amadou Cissé added: “It was a tough match, but I’m generally pleased with the character the players showed. Everything wasn’t perfect—far from it—but we’ll get back to work to correct our mistakes.”
Both debutants, 15 de Agosto and USFAS, entered as UNIFFAC and WAFU zone champions, respectively. FC Masar, Egyptian champions, reached the 2024 semifinals, while AS FAR fell in last year’s final. The tournament runs until November 21, with the winner advancing to the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
